5 African Folktale Books We Love (Part 1)

If you couldn't tell by now, we love African culture. And in particular, we love African folktales! See our list below of 5 books about African folktales that we love, and join us in one of our live and interactive African Fairy Tales & Folktale classes for kids to learn even more about African stories and culture.

1) Why The Sky Is Far Away

The sky was once so close to the Earth that people cut parts of it to eat, but their waste and greed caused the sky to move far away.

2) Anansi The Spider

In this traditional Ashanti tale, Anansi sets out on a long, difficult journey. Threatened by Fish and Falcon, he is saved from terrible fates by his sons. But which of his sons should Anansi reward? Calling upon Nyame, the God of All Things, Anansi solves his predicament in a touching and highly resourceful fashion.

3) Why Mosquitoes Buzz In People's Ears

In this Caldecott Medal winner, Mosquito tells a story that causes a jungle disaster.

4) The Clever Monkey: A Folktale from West Africa

This trickster monkey from Africa will teach readers the importance of sharing and trustworthiness.

5) Young Mouse and Elephant: An East African Folktale

Young Mouse thinks he is the strongest animal around, but his wise grandfather disagrees and tells him that Elephant is the strongest, so Young Mouse sets out to find Elephant and show her who is stronger, in an entertaining East African folktale.