हांडा के आश्चर्य
8.36 / 10 2.2K ratings
- Language
- Gujarati
- Published
- 1999
- Publisher
- Mantra
- Pages
- 32
- ISBN
- 9781852694746
Embark on a vibrant journey with Handa, a young girl from Kenya, as she carries a basket of seven delicious fruits to surprise her friend, Akeyo. As Handa walks through the colorful landscape, wondering which fruit Akeyo will enjoy most, a parade of mischievous animals secretly helps themselves to the contents of her basket.
This richly illustrated story, presented in both English and Somali, invites young readers to discover a world of exotic fruits and playful creatures. Follow Handa's path and anticipate the unexpected twist awaiting her and Akeyo, celebrating friendship, culture, and the joy of surprises.
This richly illustrated story, presented in both English and Somali, invites young readers to discover a world of exotic fruits and playful creatures. Follow Handa's path and anticipate the unexpected twist awaiting her and Akeyo, celebrating friendship, culture, and the joy of surprises.
Subjects
- Reference
- Children's Books
- Activity Books
- CHILDREN'S FICTION
- Animals
- Foreign Language Study & Reference
- Fiction
- Juvenile Fiction
- Education
- Juvenile fiction
- Africa
- Instruction
- English as a Second Language
- Multicultural Education
- Foreign Language Study
- People & Places
- Juvenile Nonfiction
- Concepts
- Bilingual Education
- Readers
- Humorous Stories
- Beginner
- Picture books
- ANIMALS_FICTION
- Cooking & Food
- Counting & Numbers
- Fruit
Original edition
Handa's Surprise (English and Somali Edition)Originally published in 1762 English Mantra Lingua
Other editions (28)
Listen to the summary Narrated summary
In a vibrant village nestled in South-West Kenya, a young girl named Handa prepares a special surprise for her best friend, Akeyo. With thoughtful care, she gathers seven different, delicious fruits, placing them gently into a basket: a yellow banana, a sweet-smelling guava, a juicy orange, a ripe red mango, a spiky pineapple, a creamy green avocado, and a tangy purple passion fruit. Balancing the basket expertly on her head, Handa sets off on the path to Akeyo's village, her heart full of anticipation.
As Handa walks, she muses aloud, wondering which of the splendid fruits Akeyo will like best. "I wonder which fruit she'll like best?" she thinks. "Will she like the soft yellow banana?" But, unbeknownst to Handa, a mischievous monkey swings down from a tree, silently plucking the banana from her basket. Handa continues on, lost in her thoughts, completely unaware of the playful thievery happening just above her.
The journey unfolds with a series of delightful, silent thefts. As Handa ponders whether Akeyo will prefer the sweet guava, a long-necked ostrich stretches its neck to snatch it away. A striped zebra then deftly takes the orange, followed by a majestic elephant who gently removes the ripe mango. A tall giraffe reaches down to pilfer the spiky pineapple, and a sly antelope makes off with the creamy avocado. Finally, a colorful parrot swoops in, carrying away the tangy passion fruit. With each step, Handa's basket grows lighter, yet she remains happily oblivious, still imagining Akeyo's delight.
The path winds closer to Akeyo's village, and Handa, still deep in thought about her surprise, walks beneath a tangerine tree. Just then, a boisterous goat, having broken free from its tether, charges directly into the tree's trunk. With a sudden shake, a cascade of bright, round tangerines tumbles down, falling right into Handa's now-empty basket. Handa, feeling the renewed weight, continues on, still unaware of the magical exchange that has just occurred.
Upon reaching Akeyo, Handa greets her friend with a warm smile. "Hello, Akeyo," she says, "I've brought you a surprise!" She lifts the basket from her head, and both girls peer inside. Handa's eyes widen in genuine astonishment to see a basket brimming not with the seven fruits she had carefully chosen, but with a pile of vibrant tangerines.
Akeyo, however, claps her hands with pure joy. "Tangerines!" she exclaims, her face lighting up. "My favorite fruit!" It is Handa who is truly surprised, her planned gift transformed into something even more perfect, a testament to the unexpected wonders of a simple walk to a friend's village.
As Handa walks, she muses aloud, wondering which of the splendid fruits Akeyo will like best. "I wonder which fruit she'll like best?" she thinks. "Will she like the soft yellow banana?" But, unbeknownst to Handa, a mischievous monkey swings down from a tree, silently plucking the banana from her basket. Handa continues on, lost in her thoughts, completely unaware of the playful thievery happening just above her.
The journey unfolds with a series of delightful, silent thefts. As Handa ponders whether Akeyo will prefer the sweet guava, a long-necked ostrich stretches its neck to snatch it away. A striped zebra then deftly takes the orange, followed by a majestic elephant who gently removes the ripe mango. A tall giraffe reaches down to pilfer the spiky pineapple, and a sly antelope makes off with the creamy avocado. Finally, a colorful parrot swoops in, carrying away the tangy passion fruit. With each step, Handa's basket grows lighter, yet she remains happily oblivious, still imagining Akeyo's delight.
The path winds closer to Akeyo's village, and Handa, still deep in thought about her surprise, walks beneath a tangerine tree. Just then, a boisterous goat, having broken free from its tether, charges directly into the tree's trunk. With a sudden shake, a cascade of bright, round tangerines tumbles down, falling right into Handa's now-empty basket. Handa, feeling the renewed weight, continues on, still unaware of the magical exchange that has just occurred.
Upon reaching Akeyo, Handa greets her friend with a warm smile. "Hello, Akeyo," she says, "I've brought you a surprise!" She lifts the basket from her head, and both girls peer inside. Handa's eyes widen in genuine astonishment to see a basket brimming not with the seven fruits she had carefully chosen, but with a pile of vibrant tangerines.
Akeyo, however, claps her hands with pure joy. "Tangerines!" she exclaims, her face lighting up. "My favorite fruit!" It is Handa who is truly surprised, her planned gift transformed into something even more perfect, a testament to the unexpected wonders of a simple walk to a friend's village.
What other readers say
Liked
The book is widely celebrated for its vibrant and engaging illustrations, which many reviewers describe as beautiful, colorful, detailed, and truly bringing the story to life. Readers consistently praise the artwork for its ability to captivate young audiences. The story itself is frequently described as cute, funny, simple, and endearing, with a repetitive structure that children enjoy and can participate in. Many highlight its educational value, noting that it effectively introduces a variety of exotic fruits and African animals. Educators find it a versatile resource for cross-curricular activities, useful for developing literacy skills, teaching basic counting and math concepts, exploring geography and different cultures, inspiring art projects, and discussing healthy eating and social themes like friendship and sharing. Its accessibility and engaging narrative make it a popular choice for read-alouds and early years education.
Disliked
Despite its popularity, several reviewers express significant reservations regarding the book's cultural representation. Concerns are raised that the portrayal of African life, though seemingly diverse, might inadvertently perpetuate stereotypes. Some critics suggest the book, written by a non-African author, presents an "exotic spectacle" of African culture, focusing on elements like carrying baskets on heads, wild animals, and tropical fruits in a way that aligns with Western conventions of children's literature rather than an authentic African perspective. Reviewers question whether it adequately promotes cultural relatability or if it risks giving young readers an oversimplified or stereotypical view of Kenya and Africa if not supplemented with other materials. One reviewer even suggested avoiding its use in schools due to these potential issues.
In short
In conclusion, the book is a generally well-loved and visually appealing picture book that excels at engaging young children through its simple, humorous story and colorful artwork. It offers numerous opportunities for educational exploration across various subjects, making it a favorite among parents and early years educators. However, its depiction of cultural diversity is a point of contention, prompting calls for careful consideration when using it. This book is best suited for preschool and early primary school children, typically ages 3-6, who will enjoy the playful narrative and rich illustrations. It is recommended for those looking for a book that introduces new vocabulary, encourages counting, and sparks discussions, provided that adults are aware of the cultural critiques and prepared to contextualize the story with broader, more nuanced perspectives on African cultures.
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