Children's Picture Books: Stories set in Ethiopia

Chaos!: How the Dog Got His Dinner in Tigrinya and English

2019

"They say dogs are man's best friend, but in this story, a dog creates...Chaos! Based on a traditional Ethiopian “teret,” a wise Ethiopian saying that rhymes in Afaan Oromo, the story follows a hungry dog as it disrupts the daily life of its family to get a taste of chicken wat, leaving a trail of chaos in his wake. Side by side bilingual translations support emerging readers as they develop vocabulary and fluency in indigenous Ethiopian languages like Amharic, Tigrinya and Afaan Oromo." -- publisher

Fifty Lemons / Hāmsā Lamin

2019

by Jane. Kurtz, Jackie Farah, Eden Hakala and Ruby Stott

In this Ethiopian parable, for one person, fifty lemons is a heavy load. For fifty people, fifty lemons are adornments. Translator Woubeshet Ayeno says that in his home region of Ethiopia, people stand on the bridge over the Blue Nile River, make a wish, and then toss a lomi (lemon) into the river to make their wish come true. In that region, the lomi is yellow. The river is a oat with yellow dots! In other regions, lomis are green and look like what we call a lime in the United States." -- publisher

Fifty Lemons / Loomii Shantama

2019

by Jane. Kurtz, Jackie Farah, Eden Hakala and Ruby Stott

" In this Ethiopian parable, for one person, fifty lemons is a heavy load. For fifty people, fifty lemons are adornments. Translator Woubeshet Ayeno says that in his home region of Ethiopia, people stand on the bridge over the Blue Nile River, make a wish, and then toss a lomi (lemon) into the river to make their wish come true. In that region, the lomi is yellow. The river is a oat with yellow dots! In other regions, lomis are green and look like what we call a lime in the United States." -- publisher

I Can Help / Mardāt ʼEčelālehu

2019

by Frehiwot Addis

"Based on a familiar fable, I Can Help follows two young girls as they learn lessons in kindness and responsibility. Written and illustrated by Ethiopian artist and humanitarian Frehiwot Addis, this charming Ethiopian version of “one good turn deserves another” will delight bilingual readers. " -- publisher

I Hide / Taḥābiʼa ʼĀlaxu

2019

by Elizabeth Spor Taylor

"Join a curious child as they play a game of discovery and concealment in the towns and fields of Ethiopia. As she observes her surroundings from her hiding spots, she notices many interesting and beautiful things around her. The people and animals who fill the streets and landscape with color and mystery come to life through banana plant collages made by the Ethiopian women of Jimma Banana Art. Most of the illustrations were created from different parts of the banana plant that have been dried, ironed and cut into shapes." -- publisher

Let’s Play Football / Kwiʼuso ʼEgri Neṣāwat

2019

by April Phillips

"Ethiopia’s most popular sport is football. This early-reader book shows what happens when a unique group of characters come to play football, with each bringing a very important set of skills." -- publisher

Surprise on Lake Tana! (English and Amharic)

2019

by Ellenore Angelidis, Leyla Angelidis and Eyayu Genet

"Inspired by a true story, this charming tale follows two friends on a trip to visit the ancient island churches of Lake Tana in Ethiopia. But what they expected to be a smooth ride across the large lake in their little boat turns into an adventure when they are stranded in the water with the hippos! " -- publisher

The Lost Son / Yaṭafāw Leǧ

2019

by Finote Wongel and Alex Regassa

"Based on a parable from the New Testament, this touching story of forgiveness follows a wayward son whose poor choices lead him far from home. When he realizes the folly of his mistakes, he is moved to return to his family to make things right. Though his brother is angry and reluctant to forgive, his father greets him with open arms, and we are reminded of the healing power of love and that it is never too late to make good decisions. A moving portrait of unconditional love and acceptance in dual-language text to support emerging readers of Ethiopian languages." -- publisher

Wherever I Go

2019

by Mary Wagley Copp and Munir D. Mohammed

"A hopeful and timely picture book about a spirited little girl living in a refugee camp. Of all her friends, Abia has been at the Shimelba Refugee Camp the longest--seven years, four months, and sixteen days. Papa says that's too long and they need a forever home. Until then, though, Abia has something important to do. Be a queen. Sometimes she's a noisy queen, banging on her drum as she and Mama wait in the long line for rice to cook for dinner. Sometimes she's a quiet queen, cuddling her baby cousin to sleep while Auntie is away collecting firewood. And sometimes, when Papa talks hopefully of their future, forever home, Abia is a little nervous. Forever homes are in strange and faraway places--will she still be a queen? Filled with hope, love, and respect, Wherever I Go is a timely tribute to the strength and courage of refugees around the world."--Provided by publisher

Yellow / Beċā Ḥeberi

2019

by Katie Bradley

"Meet two friends who love the color yellow, after the pretty yellow Meskel flower. Follow along as they discover and count all the beautiful yellow things they find throughout the day. " -- publisher