Kenya, Jambo! [With Learn to Speak Swahili CD]

This is an innovative attempt to communicate the immediacy of life in an African county. The child narrator's point of view engages the reader and conveys both fascination with and respect for the people of Kenya. Though it is brief, a surprisingly large amount of information on everything from school to food (including recipes) is covered; the illustrations are a lively mix of color photographs and black-and-white drawings by children. As an interesting lagniappe, a brief two-sided instructional tape of a mother and child presenting simple songs and conversations in Swahili is included. Ages 6-12. (Oct.)