If you’re a parent, you know that your kids will be bombarded with myths and legends from every side. Of course, the world is full of tales, so your kids will inevitably pick up some of them somewhere along the way. But if you want to ensure they get the best information available, African mythology might be the place to start.
African mythology has been around for thousands of years and is full of fascinating stories and characters. These stories have been passed down through generations and told in different ways over time. But, they aren’t just stories—they’re also part of a culture that has influenced many aspects of our world today.
These ten books about African mythology for kids will give you an excellent introduction to this topic so you and your children can start learning about it yourself!
Check Amazon- 144 pages.
- Recommended for children ages 7 through 10.
- The first book — published in August 2022 — in what promises to be a new series.
Check Amazon- 544 pages.
- Recommended for readers ages 13 and older.
- The first book in the Legacy of Orisha trilogy.
Check Amazon- 160 pages.
- A sci-fi story about a young girl being turned into Death's adopted daughter by an alien artifact.
- Written by Nnedi Okorafor, an author who has won numerous awards.
Check Amazon- 240 pages.
- The debut novel of a new Nigerian author, Odafe Atogun.
- Story informed by the life of Nigerian musical star Fela Kuti.
Check Amazon- 304 pages.
- Recommended for readers ages 9 through 12.
- Part of the new Last Gate of the Emperor book series, currently comprised of two books.
Check Amazon- 40 pages.
- Recommended for children ages 4 through 8.
- An illustrated book about proverbs and wisdom of various cultures in Africa.
Check Amazon- 32 pages.
- Recommended for children ages 3 through 9.
- Weaves fictional storytelling with factual information about animals
- Story allows kids to personalize the animals
- All proceeds from this book go to support endangered lemur populations around the world
Check Amazon- 64 pages.
- Customers recommend this book for children ages 6 through 8.
- Part of a Choose Your Own Adventure series of 59 books.
Check Amazon- 36 pages.
- Recommended for children ages 4 through 8.
- Part of the Anansi the Trickster series of five books.
Check Amazon- 32 pages.
- Recommended for children ages 5 through 8.
- Teaches about myths and legends in Cameroon.
Future Hero (Future Hero, 1)
- 144 pages.
- Recommended for children ages 7 through 10.
- The first book — published in August 2022 — in what promises to be a new series.
This is an exciting, highly illustrated graphic novel about a boy who finds a gateway to a legendary world in his local barbershop. As a result, he discovers that he is the hero they have been looking for.
There has never been a clear sense of belonging for Jarell. Drawing is more appealing to him than sports, so he’s ignored at home and teased at school. But, as far as Jarell is concerned, his barbershop, where his artwork is displayed, is the only place he feels truly at home.
Jarell is transported into a magical world through the barbershop’s hidden portal. However, it’s a different world because Jarell is considered a hero, and there are powerful gods and dangerous creatures.
The book is filled with illustrations that appeal to all ages. The language used is easy to understand, and the author has done an excellent job of making this book fun while retaining its educational value.
Children of Blood and Bone
- 544 pages.
- Recommended for readers ages 13 and older.
- The first book in the Legacy of Orisha trilogy.
The book is based on African mythology. It is a story of magic, love, and adventure. The story is set in a fictional world where magic has been banned for centuries. The main character, Zelie, wants to bring back magic to her people. She also wants to take revenge on the monarchy for killing her mother.
The author uses illustrations to help readers understand complex concepts or events in the story. For example, when Zelie learns about her powers as a magician, pictures show what happens inside her body when she uses them for the first time.
The author used a language that is easy for young children and adults to understand. In addition, many useful words are explained at the end of each chapter so you can learn more about this book’s vocabulary and other interesting facts about African mythology!
Remote Control
- 160 pages.
- A sci-fi story about a young girl being turned into Death's adopted daughter by an alien artifact.
- Written by Nnedi Okorafor, an author who has won numerous awards.
Remote Control is a fantastic tale that brings out community and female empowerment. It was written by Nnedi Okorafor, who has won the Nebula, Hugo, and AudioFile Earphones awards.
In the story, an alien artifact transforms a small girl into the daughter of death. It happens on the day Fatima forgets her name. Sankofa would be her name from now on, the only connection she would have to her family and her past. The touch of her hand is death, and the glance of her eye can bring a town to its knees.
The book was written with children in mind so they could learn about African mythology. Its illustrations are beautiful and detailed so that children can see what is happening on each page. This book is suitable for young readers interested in learning about African mythology or who likes reading books about magic!
Taduno’s Song
- 240 pages.
- The debut novel of a new Nigerian author, Odafe Atogun.
- Story informed by the life of Nigerian musical star Fela Kuti.
Taduno’s Song is a great book written by Nigerian writer Odafe Atogun. It’s a fascinating story about love, courage, and sacrifice.
It is a powerful Kafkaesque narrative that weaves the life of Fela Kuti and the myth of Orpheus and Eurydice. When Taduno receives a stained brown envelope from his homeland, he knows it is time to return from exile. After arriving full of hope, the musician discovers that no one knows or remembers his voice. He had lost touch with his girlfriend, Lela, who the government had abducted. What is he going to do?
Trying to find clues in his house, Taduno discovers that traces of his old life have been erased. So, he must find a new purpose: finding his lost love and unraveling the mystery of his lost life.
The author has done an excellent job presenting these stories in a format that is easy to understand but still retains the rich cultural heritage of Africa. This book is great for children aged five and older. It will help them learn more about mythology worldwide.
Last Gate of the Emperor
- 304 pages.
- Recommended for readers ages 9 through 12.
- Part of the new Last Gate of the Emperor book series, currently comprised of two books.
The book takes you on a fantastic adventure of the mythical Ethiopian Empire. The book was written by award-winning authors Prince Joel David Makonnen and Kwame Mbalia.
In Addis Prime, Yared Heywat has been living an isolated life. The city has many rules, rundown technology, and little to do.
He has only two people he can count as his family and friends—Uncle Moti and Besa. Yared is an excellent player of The Hunt for Kaleb’s Obelisk, an underground augmented reality game. But his smart mouth and thrill-seeking antics always put him in trouble.
This book has received many positive reviews from readers all over the world. They say it is an entertaining read that keeps you hooked from the first page until the last.
African Proverbs for All Ages
- 40 pages.
- Recommended for children ages 4 through 8.
- An illustrated book about proverbs and wisdom of various cultures in Africa.
This is a fascinating book with beautiful illustrations and engaging pictures that teach about:
- The different African cultures
- The power of proverbs
- The evolution of proverbs over time
The book is easy to read and understand because it uses simple language and vocabulary. In addition, the author ensures that all grammar rules are followed so that people of all ages can enjoy reading this book without struggling with complicated grammar rules or words.
If you want your children to learn about African culture in a fun way, then this book is for you! Your children will learn about how people lived centuries ago and how they would solve problems using proverbs instead of modern-day technology.
Aye-Aye Gets Lucky
- 32 pages.
- Recommended for children ages 3 through 9.
- Weaves fictional storytelling with factual information about animals
- Story allows kids to personalize the animals
- All proceeds from this book go to support endangered lemur populations around the world
Aye-Aye, the endangered lemur, loves playing pranks on Madagascar locals. It is always fun for him to hear them squeal and throw their tasty meals at him.
Then one day, they decide to ban him from the village for good. As a lonely and hungry man, Aye-Aye desperately wants his name and heart to be cleared. Yet how can he do that if he does not know where the mistake was made?
A flying fox saves the day by teaching Aye-Aye a lesson and helping him understand how his trickster ways affect people. Can Aye-Aye prove to the villagers that he has changed?
The illustrations in this book are wonderful. They have vibrant colors that will capture your attention immediately while being very detailed so that you can see each creature’s appearance. The text is simple enough for young children to understand but still educates them on various topics.
Your Grandparents Are Zombies
- 64 pages.
- Customers recommend this book for children ages 6 through 8.
- Part of a Choose Your Own Adventure series of 59 books.
The powerful book by Anson Montgomery takes you and your grandparents on a surprising journey. With this book, your child will make a zombie potion for grandparents, compete in a scary costume competition, go to the movies, the fair, and fish.
The pictures in the book are bright and colorful, making it fun for kids to look at while they read or listen to their parents read aloud. The illustrations are simple but detailed enough that readers can tell what’s going on in each scene without being overwhelmed by details.
Anansi and the Talking Melon
- 36 pages.
- Recommended for children ages 4 through 8.
- Part of the Anansi the Trickster series of five books.
After getting stuck in a melon, Anansi the Spider decides to trick the other animals rather than sit around. When Elephant witnesses his melon talking, he decides to show the king. But Anansi can’t help making jokes about everyone he meets.
Anansi’s quick thinking and the animals’ frustrated reactions will delight readers who enjoy watching master tricksters. Anansi the Trickster is a five-book series based on tales from West African and Caribbean cultures.
The Fortune-Tellers
- 32 pages.
- Recommended for children ages 5 through 8.
- Teaches about myths and legends in Cameroon.
The book is a great option for kids who want to learn more about the mythology of their ancestors. This book is fun and will teach you about various myths and legends from different cultures in Cameroon. In addition, the book includes information about creation myths, stories about animal spirits and other supernatural beings, and even folktales that teach lessons to children.
The book contains beautiful illustrations that help capture the imagination of young readers. It also has a lot of information on African mythology, so there are many things to learn from this book. In addition, you can use it as a resource to brainstorm ideas for new stories or poems that you might write someday.
Up Next…
- The 6 Best Books About Greek Mythology – Reviewed and Ranked
- The 8 Best Books About Cats for Curious Owners
- The 9 Best Books About National Parks for Travelers
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