Long before people could turn to books for instruction and amusement, they relied upon storytellers for answers to their questions about life. Africa boasts a particularly rich oral tradition, in which the griot — village historian — preserved and passed along cultural beliefs and experiences from one generation to the next. This collection of 30 timeless fables comes from the storytellers of Nigeria, whose memorable narratives tell of promises kept and broken, virtue rewarded, and treachery punished. Ajapa the Tortoise — a trickster, or animal with human qualities — makes frequent appearances among the colorful cast of talking animals. In "Tortoise Goes Wooing," he learns a valuable lesson in friendship and sharing. Ajapa's further adventures describe how, among other things, he became a chief, acquired all of the world's wisdom, saved the king, tricked the lion, and came to be bald. Recounted in simple but evocative language, these ancient tales continue to enchant readers and listeners of all ages.

A common feature in most African folklore, especially children's folk tales, is the trickster. The trickster is a cunning character that uses its natural intelligence to play tricks on others or break the rules. The trickster takes many forms, with the most common being human, sprit, or animal. In many west African tales, the tortoise is greatly featured as the trickster. The tales of the tortoise usually serve as a warning against immorality. The Sisi Tosin Tortoise series, brings back to life a classic oral tradition that has been passed down from generation to generation with vivid illustrations. The adventures of the trickster tortoise will equally amuse and teach children.

In a season of drought, Sparrow borrows food from Tortoise with a promise to pay back. When Sparrow later resorts to tricks, Tortoise makes it his life's mission to get her to pay him back. This heartwarming story encourages positive behavior and guides children through the process of showing love and forgiveness to others.The "Tortoise adventure series" by Simons Acquah, teaches character building through children's books. This story encourages positive relationships in a way that children can appreciate and practice.Other titles include; The Speeding Tortoise and Tortoise finds a Best friend.

Ijapa the tortoise, Aja the dog, Okere the squirrel, Asin the rat, Akere the toad, Kolokolo the fox, Akuko the rooster, Ekun the tiger, Obo the monkey! An array of delightful animals that are used symbolically in African folktales with their names translated here into the beautiful and diverse language of Yoruba. Spoken primarily in Nigeria, West Africa reaching all the way to Latin America and the Caribbean especially Cuba. Ijapa the tortoise the main protagonist has a variety of often ill-fated adventures with all these animals and many more in this collection of folktales titled "African Languages Made Easy Series." The tortoise who is depicted as a lazy, slow moving dull animal comes alive paradoxically in these stories as - crafty, wily, cunning and devious. Always almost trying to outsmart animals that are bigger, stronger and supposedly smarter than himself, he finds himself at the short end of the stick. These folktales have been passed down from generation to generation as a way of passing on wise sayings and moral codes of conduct especially to children in Africa. It's Ijapa the tortoise in Nigeria, its Anansi the spider in Ghana. The Author has written these folktales from the oral tradition in a modern, exciting and engaging way with vivid illustrations and lyrics. Also in this English/ Bilingual (English and Yoruba) collection are these other titles: The Tortoise and The Dog/ The Tortoise, AND The Dog (Bilingual version) The Tortoise, The Rat and The Squirrel/ Ijapa, Asin ati Okere (English and Bilingual) The Tortoise and the Toad/ Ijapa ati Akere (English and Bilingual) The Tortoise, the Fox and The Chicken/ Ijapa, Kolokolo ati Adie. The Tortoise, The Tiger and the Monkey/ Ijapa, Ekun ati Obo These paperback editions will be made available as Audible versions to enhance pronunciation and reading of the indigenous languages.

The goal of the African Story Time Series is to revive African folklore and to generate and sustain interest in it as children's literature and as a medium of entertainment, education and moral instruction for young people.

African folktales are oral literature passed down from generation to generation with the intention of providing children with good morals such as; Integrity, Honesty, courage and solidarity. In Nigeria, located in the western part of Africa, Tortoise is regarded King of the jungle because of his wise but crafty ways. In this collection of African tales we will be reading about why we regard tortoise that way.

Three African Tales: The Tortoise Shell; Why the Frog Has No Tail; The Sun, the Moon, and the Water.

This children's book is a collection of 5 short stories that have been written using the style of African folk tales to engage and foster wisdom. By bring to the forefront the experiences of Tortoises; the stories then help children ages 4 and up make better choices as well as decisions in life. The stories not only educate, but shares morals and the consequences of how life can be affected by lying, false witnessing, stealing, deception, greed, fear, anger, lack of self control, poor confidence and revenge. Important positive outcomes are also pointed out in the book such as: team work, leadership, confidence, making intelligent decisions, self-worth, comforting others, consideration for others, friendship, forgiveness, not seeking revenge, patience, contentment, gaining satisfaction, assisting others, sharing acts of kindness and love.

This collection of folktales from South Africa has been put together the author says, not for scholarship but for a love of the sunny country where he was born. Some stories originate from Dutch sources, and some have several versions. Most are tales told by the bushmen.