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49th out of 76 books
—
225 voters
Ashanti to Zulu: African Traditions
Artists Leo and Diane Dillon won their second consecutive Caldecott Medal for this stunning ABC of African culture. "Another virtuoso performance. . . . Such an astute blend of aesthetics and information is admirable, the child's eye will be rewarded many times over".--Booklist. ALA Notable Book; Caldecott Medal. Full color.
Paperback, Picture Puffin Books, 32 pages
Published
July 15th 1992
by Puffin Books
(first published 1976)
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Do you want to know why Sarafem always leans toward multicultural children's books? Well, she thinks it all stems from the day in second grade when she found this book in the library and decided she wanted to be African, because being white was so frickin' boring. Every day, she showed up at school making some sort of attempt to prove that she was an albino African who was just adopted into her painfully white family. One day a neighbor down the street humored her and let her borrow some of his...more
The gorgeous illustrations really made this book stand out for me. So detailed, so evocative of African cultures, exhibiting a certain sense of timelessness.
Also, gotta love an ABC book that doesn't fudge on ANY of the letters. Yes, thanks to the fabulous languages of Africa, we really do have a tribe named after every letter of the English alphabet!
I'm honestly not sure how much young kids (the usual audience for ABC books) would enjoy this telling as it definitely seems information-based in...more
Also, gotta love an ABC book that doesn't fudge on ANY of the letters. Yes, thanks to the fabulous languages of Africa, we really do have a tribe named after every letter of the English alphabet!
I'm honestly not sure how much young kids (the usual audience for ABC books) would enjoy this telling as it definitely seems information-based in...more
5 likes · like · see review
This is an unbelievably gorgeous book! Each letter represents a different African tribe accompanied by amazing illustrations and brief description. I'm really surprised to learn that it was the Caldecott Medal winner in 1977. The illustrations aren't a bit dated seeming. Highly recommended! I want to own this book myself.
3 likes · like · see review
Dec 03, 2012
Jenna Jeffries
added it
When people think of alphabet books, they usually think about “A is for Apple; B is for Banana; etc.” Margaret Musgrove took a twist while writing Ashanti to Zulu, and alphabet book based on African traditions. Each page describes a different group, or tribe, in Africa. The illustrations almost always include a man, a woman, a child, heir living quarters, an artifact, and an animal for every letter. This really gives the reader a glimpse of each given tribe. The very last page in the book shows...more
Ashanti to Zulu was a very interesting book. I was very caught off guard when I received the book. The cover is completely bare. There is no cover rather a completely orange blank canvas. I found this weird at first however, after reading it I found it to be a very clever idea. Not having an illustrated cover allowed the ability to place more importance on the content of the story. The illustrations within the story were amazing. The book is larger in size then the traditional book allowing the...more
1. Alphabet
2. From front to back this book covers the English alphabet in full color and illustration. This colorful enchanting book will surly keep your little reader entertained by exploring the different tribes and colorful landscapes of Africa. The books goes through every alphabet by naming each tribe. There is a tribe for every letter in the alphabet! The book explains the day to day life and traditions of each tribe while keeping the be reader entertained. The book is filled with colorful...more
2. From front to back this book covers the English alphabet in full color and illustration. This colorful enchanting book will surly keep your little reader entertained by exploring the different tribes and colorful landscapes of Africa. The books goes through every alphabet by naming each tribe. There is a tribe for every letter in the alphabet! The book explains the day to day life and traditions of each tribe while keeping the be reader entertained. The book is filled with colorful...more
This book includes twenty-six illustrations of native African peoples, each accompanied by a short description describing one of the customs of that particular people. To me, this book is really all about the illustrations. I would consider these illustrations to be very dark in terms of the colors used. There are not a lot of bright colors used and more specifically, there is a lot of brown used. Looking at the style, I think it is an African style because of both the people shown and the way t...more
Nov 18, 2012
Paul
rated it
3 of 5 stars
·
review of another edition
Shelves:
caldecott,
childrens-lit
Leo and Diane Dillon's illustrations are the stronger component of this book, which takes the reader on an A to Z tour of the traditions of twenty-six African tribal groups. Both the visual and narrative elements depict tribal life with respect and honor. While a map at the conclusion identifies where each of the tribes is located on the continent, I would have been greatly helped (and less distracted) if that information had also accompanied each entry. There is very little reference to religio...more
Ashanti to Zulu is an alphabetic picture book made for older readers. On the first page of text is says, “I have tried to introduce the reader to 26 African peoples be depicting a custom important to each. Some of the customs are unique and relate only to a particular people. Others are shared by many peoples, but all reflect African values or philosophies.” On each page there is a letter of the alphabet, a paragraph describing the word that starts with that letter, the pronunciation, and a beau...more
Tags: Caldecott, African, folktale, picture book, multicultural, tribes, source notes, pastels, watercolors, acrylics, Kano Knot, customs, traditions, standard source,
Using the alphabet, the authors give descriptions and pictures of 26 different African tribes and describe a little about their customs and traditions. Pronunciation guides are included. Illustrations are done in watercolors with each picture and text framed in the Kano Knot in the center of the page. Alphabet letters are done in l...more
Using the alphabet, the authors give descriptions and pictures of 26 different African tribes and describe a little about their customs and traditions. Pronunciation guides are included. Illustrations are done in watercolors with each picture and text framed in the Kano Knot in the center of the page. Alphabet letters are done in l...more
This is ostensibly an alphabet book but it’s really a book about the many different people who live in various parts of Africa and it contains much information about the diverse cultures. The A-Z is not what’s important here. There’s a map at the end that shows the various places mentioned in the book that I enjoyed because I’m a sucker for maps. I think most would love the pictures. They do contain wonderful detail but from a purely aesthetic point of view I didn’t love them. They really enhanc...more
Ashanti to Zulu is an Alphabet book that explores traditional African culture by focusing on customs from tribes beginning with each letter of the alphabet. The illustrations are elegant, and they do a lot to show the cultural diversity of the different nations by showing the houses and clothing, which vary a lot from place to place. It's a fascinating book, with a rich spectrum of cultural traditions, from wedding ceremonies, to dances, to food preparation, to family life. The characters in are...more
While looking at each page in this book, I found that all the illustrations had a glow to them that reminded me of African culture. The illustrations were made with color-paintings, pastels, watercolors, and acrylics. Although there are several mediums that were used, the pages go very well with each other. There are details you can look at on each page that keeps your eye wondering looking for more. The illustrator stayed true to the colors and people presented in the story. The people came to...more
Caldecott winner that briefly describes and depicts 26 different African tribes. I am not sure if a child would find this compelling/interesting or not. There are excellent, detailed pictures, but the written sections are really short - readers only get the barest of descriptions about each group and some readers may come away with questions. It might be helpful if there was a bibliography or list suggesting where to go for further reading. One thing I do applaud is the note at the beginning tha...more
1977 Caldecott Medal Winner
An alphabet book in which an African tribe is assigned to each letter with an interesting fact about the tribe and an illustration to represent them.
The t.p. verso includes some info about the art, which was "prepared in pastels, watercolors, and acrylics. The frames that surround each picture were done in watercolor and black ink. The interwoven design at the corners of each frame is based on the Kano Knot, which symbolizes endless searching--a design originally used...more
An alphabet book in which an African tribe is assigned to each letter with an interesting fact about the tribe and an illustration to represent them.
The t.p. verso includes some info about the art, which was "prepared in pastels, watercolors, and acrylics. The frames that surround each picture were done in watercolor and black ink. The interwoven design at the corners of each frame is based on the Kano Knot, which symbolizes endless searching--a design originally used...more
This is a curious book: an ostensible ABC's teaching tool that uses various tribes of Africa to pinpoint each letter of the alphabet. It's a creative idea, to be sure, and I could tell while reading the book that author Margaret Musgrove worked hard to make the information presented as interesting as possible while staying true to the facts.
Kids who show a keen interest in the ways that various African tribes differ from each other might well find their answers in the pages of Ashanti to Zulu....more
Kids who show a keen interest in the ways that various African tribes differ from each other might well find their answers in the pages of Ashanti to Zulu....more
1977 Caldecott Award winner (2nd year in a row for the Dillons!)
I think this is an example of an illustrated book rather than a picture book.
It is clear much research went into the illustrations: very exact details of dress, clothing, objects (masks, pottery, utensils).
There is a dignity to the people illustrated, they stand tall and hold their heads high -- so there is a power within, something to admire, respect.
I like that pronunciation is included within the text.
I think this is an example of an illustrated book rather than a picture book.
It is clear much research went into the illustrations: very exact details of dress, clothing, objects (masks, pottery, utensils).
There is a dignity to the people illustrated, they stand tall and hold their heads high -- so there is a power within, something to admire, respect.
I like that pronunciation is included within the text.
Mar 03, 2010
Dolly
rated it
4 of 5 stars
·
review of another edition
Recommends it for:
parents reading with their children
Shelves:
2010,
africa,
arabic-arabia,
childrens,
caldecott-medal,
nonfiction,
religion-philosophy,
art
While this is "just" another alphabet book, it's one of the more interesting ones we've read. We really enjoyed the information and I didn't find myself counting my way through the letters until we were done. The illustrations are quite artistic and we learned a lot of new information in the twenty-six entries. I really appreciated that there were pronounciation guides for the African words, since I would've got many of them wrong without them.
1977: Ashanti to Zulu: African Traditions by Margaret Musgrove; Illustrated by Diane Dillon and Leo Dillon (Penguin Group)
Caldecott Medal Winner
This wonderful picture book brings to life 26 different African tribes and their traditions and cultures/customs. Using the English alphabet to present each tribe, they are represented with text and illustrated which brings them to life. It is a very easy read which student will like.
Caldecott Medal Winner
This wonderful picture book brings to life 26 different African tribes and their traditions and cultures/customs. Using the English alphabet to present each tribe, they are represented with text and illustrated which brings them to life. It is a very easy read which student will like.
While this 1977 winner of the Caldecott Award is certainly a cultural lesson that many of our students in the western states would not be exposed to if books like of this quality didn't exist, I chose to attribute the book to the informational genre. It teaches more than culture; it educates people on native customs, language, activities, and sacred articles of the African continent's people.
This book is an ABC book with each letter telling fact about African Traditions. Some of the letters tell of the goods that these people make in their villages. Other letters talk about symbols and colors that are used. It includes many different groups of people from all over Africa. With each group of people, at least one tradition or fact is told to the reader.
Jan 01, 2011
Lynnette
added it
Caldecott, 1977
Each letter of the alphabet represents an African people or African word. Traditions are included in the narratives. Background information makes Africa very interesting.
Strength: The fact that the pronunciation is included is a plus. Bright, detailed pictures bring Africa into view. A map is included to show where the tribes live
Each letter of the alphabet represents an African people or African word. Traditions are included in the narratives. Background information makes Africa very interesting.
Strength: The fact that the pronunciation is included is a plus. Bright, detailed pictures bring Africa into view. A map is included to show where the tribes live
This unique picture book is an excellent way to open a study of the African continent and its people. It gives us a view to many different tribes and their customs, by matching them to an alphabet letter: Ashanti, Zulu, and 24 in between. Line drawn watercolor illustrations accompany each description and add depth.
Format: Picture Book
Reading Level: Ages 9-12
This book is an alphabet book that looks at 26 different African tribes. Each letter is accompanied by a brief explanation of their traditions and customs. The illustrations are beautiful and add to the text. It is a great book to use with students to understand more about African tribes.
Reading Level: Ages 9-12
This book is an alphabet book that looks at 26 different African tribes. Each letter is accompanied by a brief explanation of their traditions and customs. The illustrations are beautiful and add to the text. It is a great book to use with students to understand more about African tribes.
Ashanti to Zulu uses the alphabet to walk through African traditions but by no means is an easy reader. Students can explore 26 african nations, one for each letter as well as african traditions, customs, and connect to the beautiful illustrations. I would use this text in a study of Africa and African culture.
Each tradition is accompanied by a detailed illustration depicting traditional settings, clothing and other distinctive features of the tribe mentioned. The descriptions are very interesting.
Illustrated by Leo and Diane Dillon.
Caldecott Medal Winner 1977.
Illustrated by Leo and Diane Dillon.
Caldecott Medal Winner 1977.
Good for displays or one on one reading, not so much for storytime. The text is too long and the vocabulary too large and uncommon for most groups. Beautiful illustrations with rich colors. A snapshot of an African Culture beginning with each letter of the alphabet.
Ashanti to Zulu is a sophisticated ABC book to read and study. Each page features an ornately illustrated picture. Below, is informational text outline a cultural aspect of an African tribe. The cultures are arranged alphabetically and at the end of the book is a map of Africa so that students can see where each tribe lives.
I thought that this book would go well with social studies curriculum to bring additional and discussion. Some of the tribes have traditions that are very different from ours...more
I thought that this book would go well with social studies curriculum to bring additional and discussion. Some of the tribes have traditions that are very different from ours...more
A creative alphabet book that teaches about various African traditions. Although it s wonderfully informative, my kids found the illustrations to be dull and the info boring. It would be good to use if you were teaching a unit on Africa, however.
In this alphabetic picture book, Margaret Musgrove weaves the customs and traditions of twenty-six African tribes with the English alphabet. The illustrations Ashanti to Zulu are astounding and sure to capture the reader’s eye.
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Apr 02, 2008 07:16am
updated Apr 02, 2008 11:22am