10/01/2013
Gr 1–3—Anna Hibiscus returns in this episode (Kane Miller, 2010) with her bags packed, ready to leave her home in "Africa. Amazing Africa" and fly half way around the world to spend Christmas with her maternal, white grandmother. Anna is excited, anticipating the many first experiences she will encounter, especially playing in the snow, but she is also apprehensive. Will she find friends and like the food? Her greatest fear is Canadian dogs, believing them to be similar to the feral canines that roam near her village. However, Granny Canada's calm, quiet demeanor transforms Anna's insecurities into pleasant, fun-filled memories of sled riding with the neighborhood children, yellow tights and thick sweaters, and chocolate cereal. Anna's biggest surprise occurs when her grandmother's dog comes to the rescue by pulling her free from a snow drift. Mutiyat Ade-Salu provides solid narration and a nice mix of dialects. Atinuke's fourth tale about the loveable little girl blends the diversities found in life—culture, food, climate, ethnicity—into a lighthearted, adventure-filled story.—Cheryl Preisendorfer, Twinsburg City Schools, OH