Review of A Triange for Adaora: An African Book of Shapes
by Caleb Powell (with a little help from Mommy and Daddy)


A Triangle for Adaora: An African Book of Shapes by Ifeoma Onyefulu is about an African girl named Adaora who wants to see what a triangle looks like, so her cousin, Ugo, takes her through their African village to try and find one. Along the way, they see so many new shapes -- like crescent-shaped plantain that looks like a banana, a heart-shaped leaf called the Akwukwo ede plant which is used for cooking, and a shirt shaped like a rectangle that African men in the village wear when they have go to somewhere special. The man in the story, Uncle Eze, was wearing the shirt when he was going to visit his parents.

Adaora and Ugo also see a girl wearing a necklace made of oval-shaped cowrie shells. The book says, "Many years ago, cowrie shells were used as money but now we wear them as jewelry, or when we pray for our ancestors." Adaora and her cousin also pass some musicians playing big, round drums with circle tops.

Finally, they find a triangle -- on someone's head! They recognize it's their Aunt Felica who is wearing a headdress that is shaped like a triangle. Their aunt took them both home since Adaora and Ugo had gone far away from home searching for a triangle.

I liked this whole book, so I really didn't have one favorite part. My mom says this is a wonderful book that teaches about African culture while teaching young children shapes. We're going to give the book as a gift to my younger cousin who is 4 years old, but my mom says she knows my aunt and my older cousins will enjoy the story, too.


Caleb is an energetic 8 year old. He says, "I like to play football, basketball and soccer, and I like doing multiplication." Caleb enjoys real-life math by studying his team's statistics after each game. He was recently awarded the "MVP and Most Unselfish" medal for his team's Fall 2003 soccer season.


December 28, 2004