The Book
The Night Before Christmas in Africa
The Night Before Christmas in Africa was written by Jesse, Hannah, and Carroll Foster. It was first released in 2004 and did so well it was later turned into a musical. In 2005, The Oprah Magazine named this book one of it’s “Favorite Things” for Christmas.
The story mixes multiple African languages and traditions to show what it is like in Africa at Christmas. The story was written when Carroll’s children, Jesse and Hannah questioned why there wasn’t a story about Christmas that included anything about African culture. I think it does a great job about letting us see into the lives of those in Africa. The book includes a glossary and every book sold helps support a child through Sparrow Schools. Based in South Africa, this school helps children with learning disabilities and other set backs get through school and support themselves afterwards.
The CD
The CD was also inspired by Jesse and Hannah one year at Christmastime. The CD narrates both The Night Before Christmas in Africa and another book, Gullah Night Before Christmas. It also includes songs by the Sparrow School choir.
Our Review
We really enjoyed reading the book and listening to the CD. It was nice to be able to read about the African cultures Christmas experiences. We especially enjoyed the CD and hearing everything narrated by Sibusiso Victor Masondo and Virginia M. Geraty. We learned quite a bit about the African culture simply from spending some time as a family enjoying a good book and CD. We would definitely recommend this for all children who are able to understand the differences in cultures. It’s a great way to teach about the African culture and how different things are from one country to another. The stories help to remind us to be thankful for even the little things all year long.
If you’d like to order a copy of these items for your self, visit the following links:
The Night Before Christmas in Africa
The Night Before Christmas in Africa/Gullah Night Before Christmas
You can also place an order directly through Pelican Publishing Company by calling toll free: 1-888-5-PELICAN or 1-800-843-1724.
If you still need a last minute gift for a child in your family, you still have time to order one of these items and receive them by Christmas via amazon.com!
I received a complimentary copy of The Night Before Christmas in Africa book and The Night Before Christmas in Africa/Gullah Night Before Christmas CD from the Pelican Publishing Company.
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