Merry Christmas, Anna Hibiscus!

Anna Hibiscus #4

by Atinuke, Lauren Tobia (Illustrator)

When Anna leaves her family home in Africa to visit her Canadian grandmother, she discovers how resilient she can be in this fourth collection of stories from Atinuke’s beloved series.

Anna Hibiscus has never been away from her big white house in Nigeria, where baby brothers, many cousins, parents, aunties, uncles, and grandparents are always nearby. But now she’s flying overseas on her own to visit Granny Canada and see snow for the first time! When she lands at the airport, Anna finds herself amid a sea of white faces in a place that is breathtakingly cold. Canada is very different, but Anna learns how to pull on toasty layers of clothing, warms up to Granny’s large dog (who does not live in a pack and bite people), hones her new talent for sledding, and celebrates cozy Christmas rituals—all while keenly missing her cousins. Told with warmth and humor and illustrated in delightful detail, this tale of finding family and belonging far away from home will resonate with every child who’s had to navigate an unfamiliar place.

Genres: Africa, Chapter Books, Christmas, Fiction, Canada, Childrens, Family

112 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 2010

About the author

Atinuke is a Nigerian-born author who started her career doing traditional oral storytelling. Her books include a Boston Globe–Horn Book Honor Winner, a Notable Book for a Global Society, a Cybils Award Winner, and an Africana Award Winner. She lives in Wales.

Reviews

[Rachel · Rating 5 out of 5]

As we read through this series, I keep thinking that one of them will be not as great as the others. But that hasn’t happened yet. This book is about Anna Hibiscus finally going to Canada to see snow and how that country is different than her own. My favorite part was when Anna stood up for herself when one of the Canadian children was being less than welcoming. This is such a fantastic series!

[Sarah · Rating 5 out of 5]

We all love these delightful books and are sad that this is the last one available as an audiobook. We have really enjoyed the Nigerian narration that helped bring Anna and her large family to life for us. As usual, the stories included are fun and joyful but also give you another perspective to consider without feeling preachy. We can’t wait for the physical library to open again so we can checkout the remaining four books in the series.

[Cheryl · Rating 4 out of 5]

I did not know dogs were not pets in Africa, or at least in the city in Nigeria. So Canada is cold, has dogs inside the house, and has bedrooms for only one person. Oh what an experience for Anna Hibiscus!

[Lisa · Rating 5 out of 5]

This might be my favorite of the first four Anna Hibiscus books, though we’ve loved all of them. This one focuses a bit more on cultural differences because Anna Hibiscus finally goes to Canada. The book is wonderful and the narrator is fantastic. (We listened to the audiobook version.)

[Abigail · Rating 4 out of 5]

Anna Hibiscus leaves her home and family in Africa to visit her Canadian grandmother in this fourth installment of Atinuke's chapter-book series devoted to her adventures. Like its predecessors, there are four short stories presented here, beginning with Anna Goes to Canada, in which Anna bids farewell to her family, sleeps through most of her flight, and finally meets Granny Canada for the first time. Her worries that she will not be happy in this new place are assuaged by her first sight of snow. Anna's First Day involves a bit of culture shock, as Anna slowly makes friends with Qimmiq, her very first dog friend. In Cousins or Friends? Anna meets some of the local children, and accompanies them on a skating and sledding outing. After some initial unpleasantness - unkind comments about her lack of ability in these sports, due to her being African - Anna stands up for herself, and ends up winning new friends. Finally, in Anna's Christmas in Canada, Anna enjoys holiday baking with Granny Canada, and caroling in the snow. The book closes as she heads home, in the company of new friend Tiger Lily, who is herself visiting Africa for the first time...

Like its predecessors, Have Fun, Anna Hibiscus! is an immensely engaging title for beginning chapter-book readers. I have loved the interaction between Anna and her large extended family in previous books, and here I loved the somewhat different but equally loving interaction between her and Granny Canada. I really appreciated the way that Atinuke handled the issue of the dog, showing that in Anna's culture dogs are never allowed in the house, being considered dangerous and dirty, and are certainly never kept as companions. When Anna learns that her great-great-grandfather was a dog sledder, and was saved by a dog, she gains an understanding of new and different ways of living, and of seeing the world. I also appreciated the way in which the children's prejudice against Anna was treated: it was shown to be wrong and hurtful, it was challenged, and then it was forgiven, allowing the children to become friends. Too often I find that that last part - the idea that people who have done or said something inconsiderate can be accepted again, if they acknowledge what they have done wrong, and seek forgiveness - is missing in today's world. Well done to Atinuke, all around - this was entertaining, engaging, and ultimately heartwarming, and I look forward to picking up the next installment of Anna's story, Welcome Home, Anna Hibiscus!

[Kailey (Luminous Libro) · Rating 5 out of 5]

Anna Hibiscus has always wished to see snow, and now she is going to Canada to visit her grandmother! But Anna worries that she will miss her family too much. She worries that she will have to eat strange food. She worries that there might be a mangy dog in the house who will bite her. When Anna arrives in Canada, her Granny welcomes her with open arms and a whole new outfit of warm clothing to stay warm in the snow. Anna meets a dog and makes some new friends. She tries to ice skate and goes sledding in the snow. She makes snow angels and learns about her Canadian family.

I loved this sweet book! Anna is so adorable, and I loved her amazing family. It's so interesting and beautiful to see her honoring both sides of her heritage. I am bi-cultural myself, so it's lovely to see how Anna adapts to a new culture and embraces it as her own.

The writing style is light-hearted but emotional. In just a few words, the writing really paints a picture for you of Anna and her family. The stories are told in a straightforward manner, but there is a lot of depth and meaning in them as well. I love the themes of family identity, generosity, love, and gratitude.

I love the beautiful illustrations! The black and white art work is absolutely lovely, and brings Anna's family to life. You can see Anna's energy on each page!

This book is perfect for ages 7-10.

Disclaimer: I received a copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for a free and honest review. All the opinions stated here are my own true thoughts, and are not influenced by anyone.

[Sarita · Rating 5 out of 5]

Anna Hibiscus was a little girl who lived in Africa. She lived in a big white house with her whole family. Her cousins, her aunties and uncles, her mother and father and her Grandmother and Grandfather. Everybody in Anna's family was born in Africa, including Anna. Everybody except Anna's mother. Anna's mother was from Canada, and that's where snow was.
Anna wanted to see snow and play in snow so badly. So her family planed a trip for her to go there. Anna would visit her mother's mother, Granny Canada.
When Anna Hibiscus got to Canada, Granny Canada had a dog named Qimmiq! Anna was afraid of dogs, but soon, she became friends with him.
Eventually, Anna begins to feel lonely, and wants her cousins to play with. One day she meets some children playing in the snow. One of the girls, Anna's age, seems nice. But some of the other children made fun of Anna because she was from Africa.
In the end she becomes friends with all the children, and is better at sledding then any of them!
Just before she leaves, she meets a girl who's father is from Africa like Anna! They both go home in the plane with Auntie Jumoke together. THE END!

I think this is one of my favorite Anna Hibiscus books. One of the reasons is because I lived in Canada too, and played in the snow there! I like when Anna ends up being really good at sledding. And the children ask her to steer the sled down the hill. Anna described sledding as 'flying on snow'.

By Sarita

[Marjorie Ingall · Rating 5 out of 5]

Anna Hibiscus leaves "Africa, amazing Africa" for the first time to visit her Granny Canada a world away. (Anna's mother is white and her daddy is black.) She sees snow for the first time, and learns that dogs -- which in Africa are scary, bitey, germ-ridden, garbage-eating wild things -- can be excellent. This may be my favorite book in the series. Or maybe not. I LOVE THEM ALL SO MUCH I TELL YOU.

[Jenna (Falling Letters) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Anna Hibiscus lives in amazing Africa with her father’s large family, but now she is visiting wintry Canada alone for the first time to stay with her maternal grandmother. Her visit addresses the cultural complexities of being a visitor in a foreign land, and particularly an African in Canada. The writing avoids being heavy handed, however, and Anna Hibiscus also has plenty of fun enjoying the activities Canadian winter has to offer. Age 7+.

[Brenda · Rating 5 out of 5]

What, no more Anna Hibiscus books? Say it ain't so! Natalie and I loved the whole series and can't wait for more.

[Franki Sibberson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love this series--how have I missed it. Time to order all 5!

[Chris Nigh · Rating 4 out of 5]

Embark on a heartwarming journey with Anna Hibiscus as she navigates the complexities of family, friendship, and identity in Atinuke's delightful installment, 'Have Fun, Anna Hibiscus! #4'. In this book, Anna Hibiscus, a young girl of mixed Nigerian and Canadian heritage, continues to capture readers' natures with her adventurous spirit and compassionate nature. As she spends time with her extended family in Africa, she encounters various challenges and learns valuable lessons about love, acceptance, and the importance of cultural diversity. From organizing a grand family party to navigating the dynamics of friendships, Anna's experiences are relatable and endearing, making this book a joyous celebration of childhood and multiculturalism. At the heart of the story lies the theme of family, as Anna cherishes the bonds she shares with her relatives and learns valuable lessons about resilience, compassion, and the importance of belonging. As she navigates the complexities of her multicultural heritage, Anna discovers the beauty of embracing her Nigerian and Canadian roots, finding strength in her unique identity. Throughout the book, Atinuke weaves a rich tapestry of cultural traditions, music, and language, providing readers with a window into the diverse landscapes of Nigeria. From the rhythms of traditional drumming to the tantalizing aromas of Nigerian cuisine, every detail invites readers to celebrate the richness of Nigerian culture. While the main genre of the book is contemporary fiction, Atinuke infuses the narrative with elements of adventure and exploration, capturing the curiosity and wonder of childhood discovery. Through reading this book, I learned the importance of embracing diversity and honoring the unique contributions that each culture brings to our world. Atinuke's portrayal of Anna's multicultural community serves as a strong reminder of the beauty that can be found in difference, inspiring readers to approach the world with an open heart and mind.
This book was a WOW book for me because of its ability to transport readers to Anna's vibrant world, where the laughter is infectious, and the lessons learned are timeless. Atinuke's lyrical prose and heartfelt storytelling create an immersive reading experience that will stay with readers long after they've turned the final page. Atinuke skillfully incorporates anti-bias perspectives into the narrative by challenging stereotypes and celebrating cultural diversity. Through Anna's interactions with her diverse cast of family and friends, the author emphasizes the importance of empathy, understanding, and acceptance. By showcasing the richness of Nigerian culture in a positive light, Atinuke encourages readers to embrace differences and reject prejudiced attitudes. 'Have Fun, Anna Hibiscus! #4' serves as a poignant reminder of the universal values that unite us all, regardless of our background or heritage.

[Christine Kallner · Rating 4 out of 5]

We skipped from book 1 to book 4 since that is what we had available. Will definitely return to the books in between, but this order worked out nicely because book 1 ends with a plan for the future that is the main plot of book 4, so it felt like we didn’t miss a beat! And Christmas-time is the perfect time to read this one, as well.

[Suja · Rating 5 out of 5]

As I read through this series, I keep liking every book in the series. This book is about Anna Hibiscus landing in Canada and enjoying snow and Christmas. She learns that Dogs are really not dangerous and also stands up for herself when the local Canadian children are not exactly welcoming. I am loving this series

My rating 4.5 rounded to 5*

[Marianne · Rating 5 out of 5]

So refreshing and good. I love this series.

[DD]

My Second Grade class just loves these stories! We ordered the next book in the series!

[Meg Mirza · Rating 5 out of 5]

This charming series features easy to read, realistic fiction short stories about Anna Hibiscus, an earnest and funny little girl growing up in "Africa. Amazing Africa." She lives with her parents, her extended family, and her two baby twin brothers who simply go by the names, "Double" and "Trouble."

In this set of adventures, Anna is off to Canada to visit with her white grandmother. She has never seen snow before, is frightened of Grandma Canada's pet dog, isn't sure if she'll be able to stomach foreign food, and initially doesn't get along with the other kids in town. Everything resolves happily, of course, when Anna discovers that she loves playing in snow and Grandma's dog Qimmiq is able to come to her rescue when she finds herself lodged in a snowbank. While nothing will ever replace the tasty African food she is used to, Anna Hibiscus finds traditional Canadian Christmas food delicious too, and eventually comes to befriend the neighbor kids.

While the book never explicitly states what country Anna Hibiscus lives in, or how old she is, I have to assume that she is probably a first-grader, and writer Atinuke says she was inspired by her own childhood growing up in Nigeria. The appealing illustrations which decorate nearly every page and large type make for a comfortable read for readers new to chapter books. I will put this series into the hands of children who are hungry for stories with black characters that are not set during the Civil War, or the 1960's. Warm, relateable, and unique, Anna Hibiscus is certain to take her rightful place beside Junie B. Jones, Clementine, Ruby Lu, Ramona and other classic early middle-grade fiction.

[Nancy Kotkin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Children's chapter book series about a young girl growing up in Africa, within her family's walled-in compound. The stories are bursting with authentic African scenery and daily life. The protagonist is only five or six years old, which is young for a chapter book, but it works well for this series because it allows readers to learn things about African culture while Anna herself grows in her understanding of the world around her. While Anna's family is financially secure, Anna and her readers come into contact with some true poverty when she ventures outside the walls of her family's compound. Her parents are bi-racial; her mother is Canadian and her father is African. I love Anna's large extended family and the rich cultural experience I'm able to have with them. And I love the illustrations, which allow readers to connect more deeply to the exotic setting and the family compound. Warm, funny, and educational. Highly recommend.

Book #4 in this series is a bit different because Anna Hibiscus visits her maternal grandmother in Canada. Still, Anna has moments to shine and her African customs are never far from her, wherever she may travel.

[Em · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really liked this book of the Anna Hibiscus series. Here comes her trip to Canada. What will it be like? Her family advises her on all the things to watch out for but she comes to find out that things are different in Canada. Dogs do come in the house and are not like the wild skinny dogs in Africa that eat from the garbage. She finally sees snow and makes friend. She makes one final friend who coincidentally is taking a trip to Africa to see her father on the same flight that Anna Hibiscus is taking back to Africa. I hope there is another volume in this series so we can see Anna Hibiscus and her new friend Violet Lily while Violet Lily adjusts to to life in Africa while she is visiting her father.

I think this was the best of all the books so far.

[Christina · Rating 5 out of 5]

Delicious drawings, heartwarming story and wonderful characters. I definitely want to read more from this author. The story involves a young girl of indeterminant age, perhaps early elementary, who travels from her native Africa to visit relatives in Canada. Author Atinuke has an incredible way of expressing complicated emotions with extremely simple descriptions. There is a grace and terseness to her writing that is highly satisfying. It is warm and childlike but never childish or silly. It's kind of miraculous. The illustrations are perfectly matched - elegant, and expressing much with great economy.

As the parent of a child who is growing up in the Caribbean but has family in places far away and snowy, there is much that resonates for us in this book.

Loved, loved, loved this.

[Vera Godley · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a really cute story (or actually a collection in this book of four stories) that shares how a young child from Africa experiences a change in cultures by visiting Canada. This change in location also brings a new experience in types of weather - hot and cold, snow and summer sun.

She discovers a difference in homes, family structure - size, etc, and experiences children that are not kind.

This is one of a collection of books about Anna Hibiscus and is for readers age 6 to 9.

I received a complimentary copy to facilitate a review. Opinions are mine, alone and are freely given.

[Betsy · Rating 4 out of 5]

I think the Anna Hibiscus books get better as you read through the series! While my daughter (age 6) and I enjoyed the first one, we've enjoyed each consecutive one more and more (and we've read them totally out of order after book 1). This was the second one we read. We enjoyed Anna's first sled ride, her determination to be herself in the midst of a cold, snowy Canada, her insecurity turned into friendships and memories, and her relationship with her grandmother (besides, who wouldn't want to eat chocolate cereal every morning?!).

[Sherrie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Anna is off to visit her Grandmother, who lives in Canada. Anna lives in Africa and has never been away from home. When she gets to Canada, she finds it's very cold and lots of snow. Her grandmother has a dog, Qimmac, who Anna doesn't trust. In her country dogs are bad, they bite, they are dirty and they give you sickness. So seeing Qimmac, she thinks he's a bad dog. But they soon make friends. Anna also makes friends with the children of the neighborhood. She learns how to slide down a snowy hill. Anna has all kinds of memories to take back to Africa. Very nice book.

[Maren · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love Anna Hibiscus. Atinuke has an amazing talent for relating to a young child's emotions and to make other complex issues presentable to very young readers. Culture shock and prejudice were presented in very simple yet effective ways in this book, but it was still completely charming and heartwarming. I'm sad that my oldest feels she has outgrown this series, but I'm looking forward to her younger siblings getting to experience Anna Hibiscus in the near future.

[Heather · Rating 5 out of 5]

In this entry, Anna Hibiscus is visiting Granny Canada all by herself and learning that a lot of things are different than at home. Not only the snow, but the food and the clothes and the dogs. And without all of her cousins surrounding her, Anna Hibiscus learns about making friends and standing up for her differences. This series just continues to be fabulous!

[Karen Arendt · Rating 5 out of 5]

Each chapter in the Anna hibiscus stories is a story of its own. In the fourth Anna story, Anna is finally going to Canada to visit her grandmother. There she learns that dogs are not always dirty, full of worms and germs, and bite. She also shows other children not to be judgmental about people from other countries. This was my favorite Anna story yet!

[Daria · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved this! Need to order rest in series. Just disappointed that this title doesn't mention the country she lives in, just states that she lives in Africa. Towards end of text, does state that Africa is a big continent with lots of countries. Can't wait to share this with students when they return.

[Claire Carlisle · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Anna Hibiscus series is wonderful. Its gentle, loving storytelling is an antidote to today's madness. I'm reading the whole series, but Have Fun is, to my mind, the pinnacle so far. Perfect little story, wonderful illustrations. It's worth a read just to witness Anna seeing snow for the first time, and the lovely double-spread illustration that represents the moment.

[B · Rating 5 out of 5]

So far, this has been my favorite with Anna leaving behind her family for a month to visit her Granny in Canada and experiencing snow and another culture which includes having dogs live inside a house. Her new experiences with warm clothing, "yellow socks that went right up and turned into knickers", and the beautiful and cute illustrations warmed my heart.

[Laura (Book Scrounger) · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was another great entry in the Anna Hibiscus series, including all of Anna Hibiscus's visit to Canada to meet her grandmother for the first time. She plays in the snow, learns to make friends with a dog, and celebrates a Canadian Christmas while remembering what Christmas in Africa is like, providing a nice comparison between her two worlds.