This 100-page compilation includes 20 short stories that could be told at bedtime or around a campfire. They are witty fables, instructive and enjoyable for all ages.

It’s an insightful quick read that made me smile.

I found this book to be a rich read that readily reminded me of such tales presented in Aesop's Fables. I very much appreciated that it was presented from a cultural lens, which created greater richness by giving a bit of contextual depth to each individual story. The tales were succinct and easy to digest, strengthening their impact as it made it easier to remember the messages being conveyed and to return to individual selections and reread them again. I found myself smiling during the reading of some of the collection, while with others I found myself reflecting on what was being conveyed. A book that is both entertaining and impactful is always a good selection. I enjoyed this book. I would gladly recommend this read to others who find pleasure in such collections and works that convey wisdom that is transcendent regardless of the source of its cultivation.

When I saw an ARC on here called African Folk Tales for the Young at Heart, I requested it before I'd even read the description. My almost immediate approval plus its mere 3 reviews only one month before publication seem to suggest that my eagerness to read this isn't a typical response. That's a shame, because this is a nice collection.

If you've read Aesop's Fables, you'll be familiar with the format of these tales. Most of them involve talking animals, tricksters, or kings and queens from long ago, and they each present a kernel of wisdom for the discerning audience. Some attempt to explain the origin of a common phenomenon, like why mosquitos are fated to be swatted away from ears ('The Mosquito, the Hand, and the Ear'), or why dogs chase cars ('Why Animals Act Like They Do'). Others openly impart life lessons ('Moyi's Ten Lessons') or subtly critique social behaviours ('The Jackal's Foresight'). All of them are full of whimsy and charm.

My one criticism would be that some of the illustrations are a little too cartoonish for my taste. In particular, there's one where a snake has arms and is wearing human clothes, in a story where that isn't even applicable. However, kids probably wouldn't care, and it does accentuate the story's relevance to human behaviour. I liked most of the illustrations and the Nigerian culture they all depict.

If you're at all interested in folk tales and/or African literature, definitely check out this collection! It's a fun way to get a taste of Nigeria's rich and vibrant culture.

Many thanks to NetGalley and Iskanchi Press for the ARC!

The stories are great and flow really well, these are great stories to bring into your home or classroom! A needed addition for any mythology collection! The illustrations were odd and not very consistent.

African Folktales for the Young at Heart is an accessible collection of short African folktales. It's a quick and enjoyable read for children and adults alike, with morals to reflect on and nice little illustrations throughout. It was great to learn about folktales I'm not familiar with and I enjoyed my time with the stories. The book can be easily enjoyed in one sitting, but I think it's strength is with the option of reading the stories individually to a younger audience in a story-a-night kind of format.

I received this book from the publisher Iskanchi Press on NetGalley.

African Folktales For The Young At Heart by Abubakar Yusuf Ibrahim is a collection of very short folktales. As a child growing up in Nigeria, I read/heard some of the folktales in this book and I felt some nostalgia reading this. Most of the stories are aimed to provide some moral lessons, some are funny and a few are just ridiculous; but overall the book is a quick, fun and easy read.
I got the ARC from Iskanchi Press via Netgalley. All opinions expressed are mine