Every country boasts its own proverbs, but unless US children study a foreign language or live in a bilingual family, their exposure to these pithy sayings can be limited. Bryan’s 26 African proverbs from different villages and peoples provide a playful introduction to the cultural aspect of language. Accompanied by brilliantly colored illustrations reminiscent of stained glass, these short but wise sentences—“The house of the loud talker leaks,” “Treat your guest as a guest for two days; on the third give him a hoe,” etc.—grant a funny and fascinating glimpse into how different societies pass their collective wisdom from generation to generation. (Picture book. 4-8)
