Rating: **** 4 stars

Retold by Elizabeth Laird, illustrated by Shelley Fowles,
The Ogress and the Snake and other stories from Somalia
Frances Lincoln, 2009.

Ages 8-10

This enchanting collection of folktales from Somalia is retold by Elizabeth Laird from stories she heard while travelling in the Somali region of Ethiopia.

The book provides an excellent introduction to the tradition of oral storytelling. Highly reminiscent of the classic Aesop’s Fables, many of the tales feature anthropomorphic animals and their relationship with man. These short, engaging stories are perfect to read aloud in class and raise plenty of thought-provoking topics for discussion. Expertly illustrated by Shelley Fowles, the evocative black and white drawings add further appeal to children reading by themselves.

With a large number of Somali children in schools outside their homeland, this is a great book to help promote diversity in school and introduce the richness of the country’s oral cultural tradition. My only criticism is that some parents may find the price rather expensive for such a slender paperback. But these stories are sure to be enjoyed time and time again, making this charming anthology definitely worth the investment – or a trip to the local library.

Susan Goodsall