KOI AND THE KOLA NUTS

When Koi gets only a kola tree as his inheritance, he leaves his village to look for one where a chief's son will be treated with more respect. Along the way, he generously gives away his kola nuts to creatures in trouble—python, ant, crocodile; when the people of his new village prepare to eat rather than honor him and he bargains for his life, the three animals help him complete the difficult tasks he's given. The formula is tried and true; this (unsourced) African version is well paced, eventful, and spiced with colorful details, excellent for sharing aloud. Ruffins's subtly expressive art is rendered in a flat, childlike style with pleasingly gentle colors and faces and figures that recall African art. Also available with a cassette, narrated by Whoppi Goldberg. (Folklore/Picture book. 4-10)