One of Ashton's favourite books to read at the moment is "Handa's Surprise". He just discovered it sitting on his shelf the other day and I had totally forgotten we had it, and it was like finding a lost gem. It is a very simple story, that kind of has a silent story (via the illustrations) running along side the written story. So, while we are reading the story, the illustrations are opening up lots of different points of conversations and questions for me to have with Ashton.
A brief synopsis of the story is that Handa has decided to surprise her good friend Akeyo with a basic of yummy fruit. She wonders while fruit Akeyo will like best. On Handa's journey to see Akeyo in her village different animals sneak up and steal the various pieces of fruit, leaving none left. But an unexpected event happens to make the surprise not only for Akeyo, but for Handa as well.
Ashton loves to point out the different animals sneaking up on Handa, and loves to name the fruit each animal takes, and he loves pretending to eat some of the fruit too.
This story is obviously set in Africa somewhere and has that lovely cultural flavour to it, with its colours and representation of the village, their cultural clothing and even the way that the women would carry the fruit in the head baskets. Its a beautiful, vibrant and simple story! Love it!
Whats your favourite children's book? I'm always looking for great new books to read.
He made me read it to him on Friday morning, even Gracie sat still for it!!!!
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