Osa's Pride

Set in the same African village as The Village of Round and Square Houses and Darkness and the Butterfly , this tale of (an older) Osa concerns her excessive pride--so great that she makes up stories in order to make herself feel better than all her friends. One day her grandmother takes her aside and tells her a gentle fable that helps her see how dangerous false pride can be, and, at the same time, helps her laugh at herself. Osa's Pride addresses an important topic but, with the exception of Gran'ma's tale, Grifalconi spends too much time preaching a message and too little time telling a story. Artistically, the book is superb: the pictures capture the community life and Osa's personal struggle with vivid images and rich, vibrant colors. Ages 4-8. (May)