¿Hay osos en Africa? (Are There Bears in Africa?)

By staff -- Críticas, 10/1/2007

K-Gr 3–While visiting an African village, a Western family accidentally leaves behind the little girl’s teddy bear. Meto, a young boy from the village and the narrator of the story, finds the stuffed animal and makes it his mission to return it. He takes off running across the savannah following the family’s Land Rover. Along the way, he encounters rhinos, lions, elephants, and giraffes who interrogate him about the strange animal he is carrying (hence the title). To each creature, Meto explains about the little girl and how he must hurry to find her. Eager to help, the animals locate the family’s airplane and rush the young boy through the plains. This endearing picture book will resonate with anyone who has ever lost a favorite toy, and Meto’s willingness to help a stranger carries a message of inclusion and acceptance. The multicultural dimension is reinforced by the warm-hued watercolor spreads, which display the rich fauna of the African savannah. Despite the use of “vosotros” (the “you” typical of Iberian Spanish), the text is accessible to preschoolers and early readers alike. A good selection for bookstores and libraries with a large children’s collection.—María Mena, LeRoy Collins Leon Cty. P.L., Tallahassee, FL