Emeka`s Gift: An African Counting Story by Ifeoma Onyefulu #33

Onyefulu, Ifeoma. (1995). Emeka`s Gift: An African Counting Story. New York: Puffin Books.

Grades: PreK-1

Book Type: Picture

Curriculum Links: Math, Social Studies

Author Credibility: The author`s own son, Emeka, is written about in this book. Onyefulu wrote this story which presents the math concept of counting by telling a story about his very own son.

Awards: African Studies Children`s Association Book Award

Summary:
Emeka lives in southern Nigeria in the village of Ibaji with his family. He wants to take his grandmother a present, but can`t decide what to bring her. Giving simple gifts to family members is part of their culture. In the book, Emeka is seeing different things he could give his grandmother like a necklace, an instrument, and a hat. This book presents a very simple story about counting 1 – 10 through the photographs. The author in a very special way brings in information about their culture. We not practice counting, but also learn about the games, instruments, and families that live in Ibaji. The book contains full-color photographs taken by the author himself of his very own village and people.

Standards: Math - Number and Operations (NCTM); Social Studies – Culture Strand

Illustrations: Beautiful full-color photographs taken by the author are used to illustrate this simple counting story. They capture they spirit and culture of the village.

Access Features: Author`s note, the number and words are displayed in a large font, the text is framed in an African-like décor

Classroom Use: This book could be used in pre-kindergarten to focus on the concept of counting. Also, a discussion of how parts of the world are different from where we live could be brought in by reading this book.

Response: I thought this was a lovely little book about counting. It takes a very simple concept in math and brings in a culture view of southern Nigeria. It is definitely not what you expect to see in most counting stories. Young children would love this book!

Related Texts:
A is for Africa by Ifeoma Onyefulu