Amazing Africa
Review by Dr. Jerry Flack
Africa is not a country; it is a continent. Moreover, Africa is the second largest continent on the planet (following Asia and preceding North America). It is home to more than a quarter of the world’s countries, 55 by author Atinuke’s count. The number of countries varies with time as new nations achieve independence. A great many languages are spoken in every country because so many are made up of ancient kingdoms, each with its own special language. The population of Africa exceeds a billion people and has the youngest and fastest growing population on Earth. Africa’s history boasts the first university in the world, plus the disciplines of medicine, engineering, mathematics, and astronomy were first developed on the continent. Africa is also believed to be the home of world’s first human beings.
Africa, Amazing Africa is a brilliantly colorful continental atlas. Young readers learn fascinating facts about each of Africa’s current nations. The rich illustrations portray the people, places, exotic animals, vegetation, orange and pink sand dunes, vast deserts, architecture from mud huts to soaring contemporary skyscrapers, unique dress, sports, foods, and even musical instruments found in the incredibly diverse countries. Readers learn about small villages where culture has remained basically unchanged for a thousand years. They also are introduced to huge cities that are centers to great international corporate headquarters that boast the latest high technology known to the planet. In addition to the nations found on the continent’s mainland, Africa includes island countries such as Madagascar, Mauritius, and Seychelles that are found in the Indian Ocean.
Atinuke’s exuberant prose describes Africa’s many countries as they are grouped geographically in five distinct regions: Southern Africa, East Africa, West Africa, Central Africa, and Northern Africa. Each region is first introduced with a colorfully executed map revealing the locations of its countries. Within these five key geographical groupings, each country is described with the richness of its unique people, cultures, landmarks, flora and fauna.
Additionally, three added segments highlight unique historical and cultural elements shared by all or most of the African continent’s populations. African religions, hairstyles, and the sport of football (soccer) are featured. Many of the world’s oldest mosques, churches, and synagogues are found in Continental Africa, in part because adherents of these faiths came to Africa early in their existence to spread their holy words and practices to the continent’s myriad cultures.
Two examples of the text offer previews of the contents of this beautiful geographical atlas. Nigeria is one of the nations that make up West Africa, which lies within the great Sahara Desert in the north and sandy Atlantic beaches to the south. West Africa produces amazing riches of diamonds and oil, and includes superbly educated engineers, doctors, and lawyers who practice around the planet.
Author Atinuke was born and raised in Nigeria. Her fame as an oral storyteller and author is rooted in tales from her country of origin. The city of Lagos is the biggest and busiest city in all of the African Continent. The Nigerian population is by far the largest of any African nation. One in four Africans call Nigeria home. Nigeria is the third largest film capital in the world after Bollywood (India) and Hollywood. Nigeria is also home to the ancient Hausa cities of Kano and Katsina, which are each at least one thousand years old.
Ethiopia is located in a collection of countries to be found in East Africa, where Swahili is the most common language. Because of its proximity to the Indian Ocean and Asian trade routes, East Africa is a giant trade center. East Africa is also home to Africa’s tallest mountains, deepest lakes, and most powerful waterfalls.
Ethiopia was one of the earliest, if not the first, Christian nation. Because of persecution, early Christians created magnificent houses of worship in caves and atop mountains that could only be reached by arduous human climbing. Such hidden and secret sanctuaries became the outposts of magnificent religious artworks.
In the 19th Century, European nations overran and colonized all of Africa, save for the single free nation of Ethiopia. The country’s freedom from foreign domination became a beacon to an ever-growing number of African nations that were ultimately freed from European rule. The Jamaican religion of Rastafarianism is believed to have originated in Ethiopia. Ethiopia is also believed to be the birthplace of the coffee bean.
Africa, Amazing Africa is illustrator Mouni Feddag’s debut picture book. A prolific commercial artist, she has created artwork for businesses such as Anthropologie and publications that include Oprah’s Magazine. Her appealing illustrations are characterized by vibrant colors and striking patterns (not unlike those found in so many African native fabrics). Her thematic maps are especially dramatic, overflowing with details of both geographic regions and individual nations that make up Africa.
A definite plus of this continental atlas is that both the author and illustrator avoid stereotypical images of tribal populations and refrain from placing undo emphasis upon exotic wildlife. If there is a fault with this beautiful thematic atlas, it is the brevity of the profiles of individual countries. Young gifted children will learn much important information about Africa’s individual countries, but this particular atlas will mostly whet the appetite of young scholars to go online to learn much about particular nations that provoke their curiosity. Indeed, the final page of book lists crucial Internet addresses that will help young researchers expand their familiarity with the great and massive continent.
Home and School Activities
After children have perused this continental atlas of African countries, encourage them to choose a single country (e.g., Cote d’Ivoire or Ivory Coast) about which they would like to learn much more. Encourage the use of online learning to search for much greater detail about a country that they find fascinating. Using new information about one particular nation, direct researchers to use their newfound facts to create an illustrated alphabet book about their country of choice.
There are many different kinds of maps. Some geographical categories include political, physical, topographical, and thematic maps. The maps in Africa, Amazing Africa are perhaps best categorized as thematic maps. Their common theme is tourism. What can prospective travelers learn about the countries of the five great African geographical regions? Creative readers may use their new knowledge to create an African version of Jeopardy.
Plan a Safari. After enjoying Africa, Amazing Africa, suggest that children summarize their reading of this colorful atlas to plan a grand tour or safari of the African continent. Students can choose at least five or more African countries they would most like to visit. What is their rationale for the national choices they make? Invite children to create a journal itinerary or travel guide for the countries they want to visit. What are the most exciting things they want to learn about their chosen safari nations?
Atinuke. Africa, Amazing Africa: Country by Country. Illus. by Mouni Feddag. Somerville, MA: Candlewick Press, 2021. Kirkus Reviews (Starred Review).
