Around the World Unit Study: West Africa Books

These books about West Africa might just be my favorite batch yet. "One Hen" and "One Plastic Bag" are based on the true stories of incredible people whose innovative ideas, sacrifice and hard work transformed their communities for the better. Warning: When you read these stories, the words may catch in your throat when you understand where they are going. "Yatandou" is a powerful and beautifully illustrated fictional account of how technology can improve the lives of those living in poverty. "Deep in the Sahara" tells the story of a young girl learning that the women in her family wear the mulafa (hijab) because of their faith. It's a simple lesson that may answer a question you didn't realize your children might have.

​West Africa (Ghana, the Gambia, Mali and Mauritania)
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• One Hen: How One Small Loan Made a Big Difference (Ghana) by Milway
• One Plastic Bag: Isatou Ceesay and the Recycling Women of the Gambia by Paul
• Yatandou (Mali) by Whelan
• Deep in the Sahara (Mauritania) by Kelly Cunnane
• Library book about deserts and desert animals

Activities
Inspired by Isatou Ceesay and the women from “One Plastic Bag,” built something useful from our recycling: a picnic basket. Then packed up the basket and took it on a picnic. Inspired by “One Hen,” pooled allowance money and bought a gift for a family in need from Heifer International: a flock of chicks. Wrote fact sheet on the sand cat’s adaptations for desert living. Drew sand cats and their kittens. Visited the NC Zoo's desert dome to visit the sand cat and other desert dwellers.

More Around the World Book Lists
East Africa (Part I)
East Africa (Part II) and Central Africa
North Africa (Egypt)
Southern Africa
West Africa
The Arctic

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