Love from Anna Hibiscus - by Atinuke

About the Book

Anna Hibiscus is on holiday with Grandmother and Grandfather in the village where they were born, where she befriends children, including one who steals a banana from her who she discovers is poor and lives alone.

Book Synopsis

In the penultimate book in the series, Anna proves what a good friend she can be.

Anna Hibiscus is on holiday with Grandmother and Grandfather in the village where they were born. She befriends the local children there and teaches them their ABCs and 123s. When Anna goes to market one day and a boy steals a banana from her, she runs after him. It turns out that the boy is poor and lives alone. Anna and Sunny Belafonte become friends, and when Sunny is taken ill, it is Anna who makes sure he gets the medical help he needs. Happily, Grandfather invites Sunny Belafonte to live with them and be part of their family.

Review Quotes

Atinuke, a storyteller who grew up in Nigeria, writes with simplicity and clarity as well as respect for children's ability to process the hard truth that many families cannot afford to provide adequate food and medical care for their children. Illustrated with many expressive ink drawings, this early chapter book from the Anna Hibiscus series is moving and memorable.
--Booklist (starred review)

These heartfelt and inspirational stories tackle difficult but important topics, showing young readers that even small actions can make a big difference. A must-have for every collection, written by a Nigerian author, this series is both powerful and uplifting.
--School Library Journal (starred review)

About the Author

Atinuke was born in Nigeria and spent her childhood in both Africa and the United Kingdom. She is the author of the award-winning Anna Hibiscus series, illustrated by Lauren Tobia; Hugo, illustrated by Birgitta Sif; and the Too Small Tola series, illustrated by Onyinye Iwu. Her other books include Baby, Sleepy Baby; Baby Goes to Market; B Is for Baby; Catch That Chicken!; and L Is for Love, all illustrated by Angela Brooksbank. Atinuke lives in Wales.

Lauren Tobia is the author-illustrator of Oscar's Tower of Flowers and the illustrator of numerous children's books, including the Anna Hibiscus series by Atinuke, Happy in Our Skin by Fran Manushkin, Lion Lullaby by Kate Banks, and The Blanket Where Violet Sits by Allan Wolf. She lives in the United Kingdom.