Liberia:
Koi and the Kola Nuts by Verna Aardema
When Koi's father dies, all he is left with is a bag of kola nuts, so he leaves his village to seek his fortune. Along the way he meets several animals in need, and ends up giving away all of his inheritance. His kindness is rewarded when his new animal friends come to his aid performing various challenges given to him by the chief of a neighboring village. Koi triumphs as we see good deeds begetting good deeds!
When Koi's father dies, all he is left with is a bag of kola nuts, so he leaves his village to seek his fortune. Along the way he meets several animals in need, and ends up giving away all of his inheritance. His kindness is rewarded when his new animal friends come to his aid performing various challenges given to him by the chief of a neighboring village. Koi triumphs as we see good deeds begetting good deeds!
Mrs. Chicken and the Hungry Crocodile by Won-Ldy Paye and Margaret H. Lippert
Clever Mrs. Chicken outwits Mrs. Crocodile by convincing her that they are sisters in this Liberian folktale. As an adoptive parent I don't like the ending where they decide to trade their babies (whom Mrs. Chicken switched as eggs in their nests) with one another, so that each one has little ones like them, but if you have a connection to Liberia, I'd say it's worth adding to your collection. (Just please explain to your kids that parents and children don't have to look alike and that families come in all different varieties!)
Clever Mrs. Chicken outwits Mrs. Crocodile by convincing her that they are sisters in this Liberian folktale. As an adoptive parent I don't like the ending where they decide to trade their babies (whom Mrs. Chicken switched as eggs in their nests) with one another, so that each one has little ones like them, but if you have a connection to Liberia, I'd say it's worth adding to your collection. (Just please explain to your kids that parents and children don't have to look alike and that families come in all different varieties!)
