“Why Mosquitos Buzz in People’s Ears” African Folk Tales DVD ~ Review & Giveaway

Warm-colored watercolor pictures along with a simply rhythmic text create an African atmosphere for this striking collection of African folk tales on DVD.

There are five amazing stories on this DVD all of which can be viewed with a read-a-long option.  All are narrated by charismatic voices including James Earl Jones.

Each story is beautifully animated into whimsical stories that any child, young or old, can enjoy. The DVD is recommended for children 4-8 but I enjoyed more than I probably should have. 

Why Mosquitoes Buzz in People’s Ears

(Written by Verna Aardema, illustrated by Leo and Diane Dillon, narrated by James Earl Jones)

This story is a lesson of cause and effect.

The Mosquito tells a lie to the lizard who then puts sticks in his ears… creating a chain of events in the animal kingdom that unfortunately lead to the death of an owlet. The death saddens the mother owl so much she refuses to wake the sun until the truth is discovered. After a kingdom counsel investigation the mosquito is found out to have been to blame. The Mosquito flies away before his punishment is dealt and to this day the mosquito flies into people’s ears “Are you still mad at me?” it buzzes… “to which it receives an honest answer!”

Hot Hippo 

(Written by Bruce Hobson, illustrated by Adrienne Kennaway)

Hippo was so very hot living on land he ventured to visit Ngai, the god of the land and pleaded that he get to live in the water. Ngai agreed but only if Hippo promised to not eat the fishes and show Ngai that he is abiding by this rule even at night by coming out of the water when the sun goes down. It is a great little story answer that age old question I’ve always wondered… Why do Hippos live in water and only eat grass?

Not So Fast Songololo

(Written and illustrated by Niki Daly)

An amazing story of young and old. Grandma takes her grandson to the busy city here the young boy walks to very slowly enjoying all the sights and sounds of city. The stroll down the streets seeing all the shops and fancy people of the city. After all the shopping is done they head for the bus stop when the boy looks one last time at a pair of new shoes in the window and Grandma decides since he behaved so very well on their adventure out he should get those nice new shoes. Once the boy tries them on and they fit ever so perfect he has a bit more peep in his step, and grandmas must yell to him “Not so fast Songololo!!”

Who’s in Rabbits House?

(Written by Verna Aardema, illustrated by Leo and Diane Dillon, narrated by James Earl Jones)

A Masai tale of a David and Goliath story. There is something scary in Rabbit’s house and many come to the rescue; the leopard, the elephant and the rhino but only the little frog is clever enough to get the job done.

The Village of Round and Square Houses 

(Written and illustrated by Ann Grifalconi)

The first half of the book describes the events of a typical day of the young girl’s family: work in the fields; the supper preparation; eating the meal; the post-mealtime relaxation. Gran’ma Tika becomes the storyteller for the second half of the book as she tells her granddaughter about the time Naka Mountain erupted. The villagers were miraculously spared, but the village was destroyed except for two houses one square and one round. The village chief, unable to distinguish his ash-covered subjects, assigned the “tall gray things” (men) to live in the square house, and the “round gray things” (women) to live in the round house. To this day they live separately to thank Naka for sparing them. And they “live peacefully here because each one has a place to be together and a time to be apart.”

I highly enjoyed reviewing this DVD, of course the African aspect sure was an added extra. The stories support the ideas of Cooperation; Friendship, and Problem Solving. The release of this highly entertaining DVD (on 1/31/2012) is just in time, as February brings with it the celebration of Black History Month.

WHY MOSQUITO’S BUZZ IN PEOPLE’S EARS……AND MORE AFRICAN FOLK TALES can be purchased, for $14.95, from their website by clicking HERE.   Also, check out the Facebook and Twitter pages.

I am very excited to let you know that the awesome sponsor has provided a copy of “WHY MOSQUITO’S BUZZ IN PEOPLE’S EARS……AND MORE AFRICAN FOLK TALES” as a giveaway to one lucky reader.
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I received one or more of the products mentioned above for free using Mom Blog Society.  Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers.