Books with author Onyefulu

From A to Z, stunning color photographs depict everyday life in Nigeria, where the author-photographer grew up—but the images pictured also represent the rich diversity of Africa, and the warm family ties and traditional village life found throughout this vast colorful continent. "A talented photographer, Onyefulu [offers] and incisive, sophisticated view of her homeland’s rich heritage."—Publishers Weekly"Visually appealing."—Kirkus Reviews

As a child, Ifeoma Onyefulu was catapulted into a strange storytelling world where spirits ruled and animals talked, a world not so much about happy endings, more about learning a lesson or two. For this sparkling and funny collection she retells nine of the best Nigerian tales. In The Girl Who Married a Ghost, stuck-up Oglisa discovers that pride goes before a fall; and in the Wrestler and the Ghost, the greatest wrestler in the world gets his come-uppance when he challenges a ghost. There are also stories featuring animals from the African jungle. Tortoise tricks the other animals so that he can win The Great Eating Competition, and hoards food for himself in The Famine - until the other animals become suspicious. Why the Lizard Nods His Head has something to say about greed - how it can get you into deep trouble, while Lazy dog and Tortoise shows that everyonee should work together, unlike Dog who would never help his friends dig a well. Ifeoma retells these magical stories for generations of city-dwelling children who have moved far, far away from the world of animals and spirits.

It's Christmastime, and Afam has decided to create and dance his own Mmo, or masquerade, just like the big celebratory Mmos he sees performed at festivals. But each time he starts collecting things to make his costume, family preparations for Christmas -- haircuts, visiting the tailor, a church service, a trip to their village -- get in the way. Will Afam ever get to perform his Mmo? This brilliant photo-essay vividly depicts African village life, while the simple, endearing story uses a favorite holiday to gently point out the differences -- and similarities -- between cultures.