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Koi and the Kola Nuts : A Tale from Liberia
Delightful illustrations accompany an African folktale in which the son of the chief must make his way in the world with only a sackful of kola nuts and the help of some creatures that he has treated with kindness.
32 pages, Paperback
First published October 1, 1999
About the author
Verna Aardema
55 books36 followersA prolific American children's author and teacher, Verna Norberg Aardema Vugteveen - more commonly known as Verna Aardema - was born in 1911 in New Era, Michigan. She was educated at Michigan State University, and taught grade school from 1934-1973. She also worked as a journalist for the Muskegon Chronicle from 1951-1972. In 1960 she published her first book, the collection of stories, Tales from the Story Hat. She went on to write over thirty more books, most of them folkloric retellings. Her picture-book, Why Mosquitoes Buzz in People's Ears, won co-illustrators Leo and Diane Dillon a Caldecott Medal. Aardema was married twice, and died in 2000 in Fort Myers, Florida. (source: Wikipedia)
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Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews
October 22, 2018
When Koi loses out on his share of his father's inheritance, he sets out into the world with only a bag of kola nuts to his name. His generosity towards a snake, some ants, and a crocodile during the course of his journey is rewarded when he comes to the village of Chief Fulikolli, and needs help completing the three tasks required to win his daughter's hand in marriage.
The tale of the hunter/wanderer who spares/helps three animals, and is in turn assisted in three "impossible" tasks is a widespread one, with many variants worldwide. This charming Liberian version of the story includes the almost ubiquitous sub-plot of the ants who sort out a field of grain, and emphasizes the rewards for generosity. Originally published as part of Aardema's 1960 collection, Tales from the Story Hat , Koi and the Kola Nuts presents an engaging story. With Joe Cepeda's bright illustrations - an excellent accompaniment to the tale - this book is sure to please enthusiasts young and old.
The tale of the hunter/wanderer who spares/helps three animals, and is in turn assisted in three "impossible" tasks is a widespread one, with many variants worldwide. This charming Liberian version of the story includes the almost ubiquitous sub-plot of the ants who sort out a field of grain, and emphasizes the rewards for generosity. Originally published as part of Aardema's 1960 collection, Tales from the Story Hat , Koi and the Kola Nuts presents an engaging story. With Joe Cepeda's bright illustrations - an excellent accompaniment to the tale - this book is sure to please enthusiasts young and old.
March 1, 2016
Title: Koi and the Kola Nuts
Author: Verna Aardema
Illustrator: Joe Cepeda
Genre: Non-European Folktale
Theme(s): Do good to others and they will do good unto you, nobody accomplishes anything without the help of others, and hope is never lost when you have friends to help you out.
Opening line/sentence: “One day in a village in Liberia, the headman, Chief Ogumefu, died.”
Brief Book Summary: Koi, the youngest son of a Chief misses when they are handing out possessions for inheritance after the Chief dies. He is given a scraggly little kola tree and he believes he is being cheated. He soon realizes that the kola nuts from the tree have healing power and he is able to help out many others in need of assistance. He then enters a competition for Chief Fulikolli’s daughter’s hand in marriage that consists of three almost seemingly impossible tasks. However, those he helped before come back to use their unique talents to help Koi achieve the tasks. He then wins over the beautiful daughter of the Chief and she becomes his wife.
Professional Recommendation/Review #1: Sharon Salluzzo (Children's Literature)
Koi returned late from his hunting trip and learned that his father, Chief Ogumefu had died. What's more, the village Wise Man had divided the royal possessions among Koi's brothers. All that was left for Koi was a kola tree. Koi picked the nuts and set out to explore the world. Along the way he met a snake, some ants and a crocodile all of whom ask for his help which he gladly gave. Koi then met Chief Fulikolli who told Koi he could marry his daughter and gain half his chiefdom if he could succeed in three challenges. While at first they seemed impossible, those he helped along the way help him in return. Aardema has enhanced this Liberian tale she first published in Tales from the Story Hat (1960) with ideophones (words that mimic the actual sounds). The result is a delightful book to read aloud. Cepeda's stylized oil paintings are full of expression and movement. His use of light and dark tones in alternating illustrations heightens the interest and complements the part of the folktale being told. 1999
Professional Recommendation/Review #2: Publishers Weekly (Publishers Weekly)
In this tale, revised from Aardema's Tales from the Story Hat, the youngest son of a chief who has just died is left with only a kola tree, and the kindness he has bequeathed onto other creatures, to live by.
Response to Two Professional Reviews: I agree with the first review in that I think this would be a great book to read aloud because Aardma employs the use of ideophones which children may not have experienced or come across and it would be fund to introduce them during a read aloud. I also agree that the illustrations are beautiful and full of great expression and detail. They are full of tones and eye-popping color that are sure to catch children’s attention.
Evaluation of Literary Elements: Aardma employs the use of ideophones, which would be a great element to introduce to children, and is not something that is seen everyday in stories. There are also a lot of references to West African culture, and words that are stated in the glossary and can be gone over with the children to heighten understanding and appreciation of cultural folktales. The plot is also an easier one for the children to follow, as well as the theme is great for young children to be taught. Do onto others and they will do onto you, and that is great kindness. I love the last line in the story that summarizes this theme, ‘Now I know it to be true: Do good and good will come back to you-in full measure and overflowing.”
Consideration of Instructional Application: I think this book would be a good introduction to a lesson on culture. You can come up with more West African folktales to share, or do a lesson on important things to know in Liberian culture, as this is a tale from Liberia. For example, show a map of where Liberia is and start a brief study of the culture. Show the children a picture of actual kola nuts and what they look like. I think it is a great book to also have an open discussion of what they think a lesson is they learned from the story and what they gained from the story, as there are great lessons to be learned from this work.
Author: Verna Aardema
Illustrator: Joe Cepeda
Genre: Non-European Folktale
Theme(s): Do good to others and they will do good unto you, nobody accomplishes anything without the help of others, and hope is never lost when you have friends to help you out.
Opening line/sentence: “One day in a village in Liberia, the headman, Chief Ogumefu, died.”
Brief Book Summary: Koi, the youngest son of a Chief misses when they are handing out possessions for inheritance after the Chief dies. He is given a scraggly little kola tree and he believes he is being cheated. He soon realizes that the kola nuts from the tree have healing power and he is able to help out many others in need of assistance. He then enters a competition for Chief Fulikolli’s daughter’s hand in marriage that consists of three almost seemingly impossible tasks. However, those he helped before come back to use their unique talents to help Koi achieve the tasks. He then wins over the beautiful daughter of the Chief and she becomes his wife.
Professional Recommendation/Review #1: Sharon Salluzzo (Children's Literature)
Koi returned late from his hunting trip and learned that his father, Chief Ogumefu had died. What's more, the village Wise Man had divided the royal possessions among Koi's brothers. All that was left for Koi was a kola tree. Koi picked the nuts and set out to explore the world. Along the way he met a snake, some ants and a crocodile all of whom ask for his help which he gladly gave. Koi then met Chief Fulikolli who told Koi he could marry his daughter and gain half his chiefdom if he could succeed in three challenges. While at first they seemed impossible, those he helped along the way help him in return. Aardema has enhanced this Liberian tale she first published in Tales from the Story Hat (1960) with ideophones (words that mimic the actual sounds). The result is a delightful book to read aloud. Cepeda's stylized oil paintings are full of expression and movement. His use of light and dark tones in alternating illustrations heightens the interest and complements the part of the folktale being told. 1999
Professional Recommendation/Review #2: Publishers Weekly (Publishers Weekly)
In this tale, revised from Aardema's Tales from the Story Hat, the youngest son of a chief who has just died is left with only a kola tree, and the kindness he has bequeathed onto other creatures, to live by.
Response to Two Professional Reviews: I agree with the first review in that I think this would be a great book to read aloud because Aardma employs the use of ideophones which children may not have experienced or come across and it would be fund to introduce them during a read aloud. I also agree that the illustrations are beautiful and full of great expression and detail. They are full of tones and eye-popping color that are sure to catch children’s attention.
Evaluation of Literary Elements: Aardma employs the use of ideophones, which would be a great element to introduce to children, and is not something that is seen everyday in stories. There are also a lot of references to West African culture, and words that are stated in the glossary and can be gone over with the children to heighten understanding and appreciation of cultural folktales. The plot is also an easier one for the children to follow, as well as the theme is great for young children to be taught. Do onto others and they will do onto you, and that is great kindness. I love the last line in the story that summarizes this theme, ‘Now I know it to be true: Do good and good will come back to you-in full measure and overflowing.”
Consideration of Instructional Application: I think this book would be a good introduction to a lesson on culture. You can come up with more West African folktales to share, or do a lesson on important things to know in Liberian culture, as this is a tale from Liberia. For example, show a map of where Liberia is and start a brief study of the culture. Show the children a picture of actual kola nuts and what they look like. I think it is a great book to also have an open discussion of what they think a lesson is they learned from the story and what they gained from the story, as there are great lessons to be learned from this work.
April 7, 2016
This was a great story. It is set in Liberia where the Chief dies and his son gets nothing of his possessions because they are divided up before he arrives to morn the loss of his father. They give him Kola nuts and he decides to leave the village in search of somewhere else that will treat him as he feels he should be treated, "The son of Chief". As he adventures to find this new place he meets a snake, ants, and a crocodile. They are all in need of kola nuts so he graciously gives them the nuts. As Koi continues his adventure he reaches a village where they want to cook him and eat him if he doesn't pass different tests. Each of the tests his new friends help him succeed. He ends up marrying the chiefs daughter and is treated as well as he feels he should be treated.
The art work in this book was so beautiful and vivid. I really liked the story and that it is from a different culture that many students may not be accustomed to. I think this book would definitely be in my classroom library. I shows a different cultures folklore with a very similar outcome. I enjoyed the style of the authors writing. I highly recommend this book, not only for the story, but for the culture presented in the book and the imagery. The author uses a lot of very descriptive language.
The art work in this book was so beautiful and vivid. I really liked the story and that it is from a different culture that many students may not be accustomed to. I think this book would definitely be in my classroom library. I shows a different cultures folklore with a very similar outcome. I enjoyed the style of the authors writing. I highly recommend this book, not only for the story, but for the culture presented in the book and the imagery. The author uses a lot of very descriptive language.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 1, 2017
Another work by Verna Aardema, Koi and the Kola Nuts tells the African folktale of Koi, who receives a tree full of kola nuts following the death of his chief father. As Koi, with nothing left for himself in his own village, travels, he encounters various animals who need his kola nuts for one reason or another. These favors come back to help him as he tries to win his life and a wife -- the daughter of a chief he encounters on his journey.
Koi and the Kola Nuts requires more of an attention span than you're likely to find in the average storytime event, but provides plenty to discuss in terms of morals, culture, and plot structure. Aardema provides a glossary and pronunciation guide in the beginning pages for readers who are not familiar with Liberian culture. Illustrations are textured, detailed, and done with rich colors, often leaning toward a darker palette, making it potentially more difficult to see during a storytime event.
Koi and the Kola Nuts requires more of an attention span than you're likely to find in the average storytime event, but provides plenty to discuss in terms of morals, culture, and plot structure. Aardema provides a glossary and pronunciation guide in the beginning pages for readers who are not familiar with Liberian culture. Illustrations are textured, detailed, and done with rich colors, often leaning toward a darker palette, making it potentially more difficult to see during a storytime event.
September 18, 2022
Koi and the Kola Nuts: A Tale from Liberia is beautifully illustrated with accurate depictions of West African landscape, in primarily blue, green, and brown. It also makes use of onomatopoeia that kids may not have heard before as it is a depiction of sounds from another culture, which can be an interesting exercise and exploration of animal sounds across cultures. It is a fun read, but I do have a few problems with this story.
I don't think I want this specific book or any form of this story in my future classroom as there is too much I do not want students to internalize or infer.
Read my full review on my Goodreads account for children's books.
I don't think I want this specific book or any form of this story in my future classroom as there is too much I do not want students to internalize or infer.
Read my full review on my Goodreads account for children's books.
July 22, 2010
I thought that Koi and the Kola Nuts was very enjoyable. It was frustrating how Koi's share of the dead chief's belongings was smaller than his brothers. He only got a kola tree and his brothers got ivory and cattle. Koi's brothers got tons of sheep, cows and ivory. But Koi used the Kola nuts to get the honor to be the chief of a town nearby. I think the author of this book wrote this book because she wanted to spread African stories throughout the US. I learned a little about African culture, too. For example, the pictures showed the clothes that African people wore. They also had people who looked after sheep and cattle. In the story, kola nuts could cure people from illness.
February 29, 2012
Traditional literature, folk tale from Liberia.
Koi is the youngest son of the village Chief, but when the chief dies, he gets only a Kola tree instead of animals and ivory like his brothers. He decides to take the nuts from the tree and travel to change his luck. Along the way, he gives away his Kola nuts to help other creatures. No surprise to find that those acts of kindness will help his situation later on.
In Aardema's signature style, this tale includes the sound effects and tight structure and pattern of African tales. The illustrations are double page spreads in thick dark colors - sometimes the black text is hard to read easily. Overall, a fine story with a good "pay it forward" lesson.
Koi is the youngest son of the village Chief, but when the chief dies, he gets only a Kola tree instead of animals and ivory like his brothers. He decides to take the nuts from the tree and travel to change his luck. Along the way, he gives away his Kola nuts to help other creatures. No surprise to find that those acts of kindness will help his situation later on.
In Aardema's signature style, this tale includes the sound effects and tight structure and pattern of African tales. The illustrations are double page spreads in thick dark colors - sometimes the black text is hard to read easily. Overall, a fine story with a good "pay it forward" lesson.
Read
July 5, 2011An archetypal story: a young man leaves on a quest, does three good deeds for animals who proceed to later assist him in accomplishing three impossible tasks. Boy wins wealth and girl. Transport the story to West Africa, add some culturally appropriate details and vivid ilustrations and lots of onomatopoeia, and you have this pleasant read aloud. Aardema's strong vocabulary choices are scaffolded by context and pictures, for example one double page spread of our hero, Koi looking down at a seemingly endless line of ants in formation described as "marching four abreast in an endless column".
June 3, 2008
An African folktale in which the son of a chief must make his way in the world with only a sack full of kola nuts and the help of some creatures he has treated with kindness.
I read in Galley proof. Bright, but somewhat comic illustrations.
I read in Galley proof. Bright, but somewhat comic illustrations.
February 20, 2018
This book is an excellent choice for storytelling. The language and pace are smooth and quick with illustrations to match. The story is predictable, yet entertaining with a universal theme. Listeners grinned from ear to ear as they heard how Koi cleverly earned fortune and respect.
August 16, 2008
Great illustrations and an interesting story.
January 14, 2012
My son summarized this by saying, "What goes around, comes around." That the story, in a kola nutshell. The story is well told and well illustrated.
April 24, 2012
Love Verna Aardema! This one makes a great read-aloud- the traditional tale is told in an engaging and entertaining way.
August 16, 2013
This is a very nicely adapted African folk story. Well drawn, well told, and a nice message.
October 11, 2013
Good supplement for African rain forest. Good moral about being good to others and they'll be good to you.
March 30, 2015
Classic "third son denied his inheritance" tale who then of course goes on to make good. cute pictures, good, classic moral. standard fare with a Liberian flare.
February 22, 2022
Koi and Kola Nuts: A Tale from Liberia by V¬¬¬¬¬erna Aardema, Illustrator – Joe Sepida- Children’s Illustrated Colour Picture Book- This book narrates a Liberia, Africa story. One day the village headman, Chief Ogumefu expired. He owned cows, sheep and elephant tusks. An old knowledgeable person distributed the inheritance possessions among to the two elder brothers as the youngest son Koi had gone out for a hunt. When the youngest son Koi returned, he was given a Kola nut tree as part of his share from the inherited property of his father. Koi believes that he has been cheated. Koi collects the Kola seeds, packs them in his shoulder bag and moves out towards north of the village in search of adventure. Koi meets a snake who is in need of Kola seeds to prepare medicine for his mother. Koi obliges him. Next, he meets a group of ant who wants kola seeds because they had eaten his collected kola seeds. Koi returns kola seeds from his bag. Third, he meets a crocodile who has eaten a wizard’s dog. In exchange he has to provide him kola seeds. Koi helps him. Koi crosses the hill and reaches a village. He finds that a competition is held for marriage of Chief Fulikolli’s daughter. Koi has to attempt three almost seemingly impossible tasks. However, with the help of the snake, the ants and the crocodile he is able to complete the challenge successfully. Chief’s daughter has been observing Koi from behind her house door. She appreciates his helping spirit and falls in love with Koi. Thus the beautiful daughter of the Chief becomes his wife. Message “What goes around, comes around. Coloured illustrations help the reader in relating to the story. I have read the Hindi language translation of this book.
November 12, 2020
This is a good story from Liberia. It teaches about being independent and resourceful. It indicates that being generous & helpful to others will benefit you in the end!
January 17, 2023
What a delightful book! The story is fun and the Joe Cepeda illustrations are great.
January 30, 2023
4 stars (I really liked it)
A great story with a message of showing kindness to others!
A great story with a message of showing kindness to others!
August 4, 2025
I loved this story, especially how everyone won.
December 16, 2021
Folktales from all over the world are a great way to expose children to diverse stories and ideas. This folktale from Liberia follows Koi, the youngest son of a chief who dies at the beginning of the story. Koi misses the dividing of inheritance because he's out hunting, so the village elder gives him a single kola nut tree. Koi goes off to find somewhere that will treat him like the son of a chief. Along the way, he meets a snake, an ant, and a crocodile who all are in need of kola nuts, the one thing Koi can provide. But when Koi reaches a new village, the chief sets three impossible tasks for Koi to prove his worth as the son of a chief. Impossible, that is, without help.
Koi and the Kola Nuts: A Tale from Liberia is beautifully illustrated with accurate depictions of West African landscape, in primarily blue, green, and brown. It also makes use of onomatopoeia that kids may not have heard before as it is a depiction of sounds from another culture, which can be an interesting exercise and exploration of animal sounds across cultures. It is a fun read, but I do have a few problems with this story.
Koi is completing the tasks in order to be able to marry the chief's daughter. The daughter is treated like a prize to be won. Though I know this is still the case with women in some cultures around the world, I don't think this world view belongs in the classroom without acknowledging the issues with this mindset, namely that women, and people in general, are not things.
I may be reading too much into this beyond what kids would actually internalize, but I also don't necessarily think that we should be teaching kids (whether through folktales or otherwise) that failure at difficult or impossible tasks means harsh punishment and/or death. This is the case in this story. Even though the moral of the story is supposed to be that kindness comes back on itself, the implicit meanings might be what stick with kids in this situation. (There is another version where Koi is going to get eaten by the villagers if he does not perform the tasks, and this is worse, but the idea of death as punishment for failing something difficult is still not okay in any form).
I'd like to explore more folktales from diverse cultures, and more stories retold by Verna Aardema but I don't think I want this specific book or any form of this story in my future classroom as there is too much I do not want students to internalize or infer.
Koi and the Kola Nuts: A Tale from Liberia is beautifully illustrated with accurate depictions of West African landscape, in primarily blue, green, and brown. It also makes use of onomatopoeia that kids may not have heard before as it is a depiction of sounds from another culture, which can be an interesting exercise and exploration of animal sounds across cultures. It is a fun read, but I do have a few problems with this story.
Koi is completing the tasks in order to be able to marry the chief's daughter. The daughter is treated like a prize to be won. Though I know this is still the case with women in some cultures around the world, I don't think this world view belongs in the classroom without acknowledging the issues with this mindset, namely that women, and people in general, are not things.
I may be reading too much into this beyond what kids would actually internalize, but I also don't necessarily think that we should be teaching kids (whether through folktales or otherwise) that failure at difficult or impossible tasks means harsh punishment and/or death. This is the case in this story. Even though the moral of the story is supposed to be that kindness comes back on itself, the implicit meanings might be what stick with kids in this situation. (There is another version where Koi is going to get eaten by the villagers if he does not perform the tasks, and this is worse, but the idea of death as punishment for failing something difficult is still not okay in any form).
I'd like to explore more folktales from diverse cultures, and more stories retold by Verna Aardema but I don't think I want this specific book or any form of this story in my future classroom as there is too much I do not want students to internalize or infer.
September 9, 2010
Mommy says: Finny listened and glanced at the pages from time to time, but insisted on playing with his trains during this book.
Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews