Books by Bobby Norfolk
Anansi Time
The author retells of Anansi the tricky spider as he learns hard lessons when his selfishness and greed comically rebound on him, teaching values of sharing and hospitality, and bringing benefits such as light and wisdom to the world.
Copies
No copies available.
Dunbar Out Loud: The Poetry of Paul Laurence Dunbar
by Paul Laurence Dunbar, Bobby Norfolk
Paul Laurence Dunbar was born in Dayton, Ohio, in 1872, to parents who were both former slaves. From this humble and impoverished background, he went on to achieve international recognition for his work, which he alternately rendered in African-American dialect and in standard English. His work was popular with both black and white readers. Though he died of tuberculosis at the age of 33, his output was prolific. Before his death, he published twelve poetry collections, four short-story collections, ....
Copies
No copies available.
Timeless Tales
Danger, Deception. Wild dogs and tyrants. The heroes and heroines in these classic folktales have their hands full. Through Bobby Norfolk's performance, we join these characters as they face situations that require decisiveness, commitment, courage, and bravery.
Copies
No copies available.
Why Mosquitoes Buzz in People's Ears
by Bobby Norfolk, Verna Aardema
Emmy Award-winning storyteller Bobby Norfolk brings his electrifying energy to this diverse collection of folktales, which come from the African, British, European, and Appalachian traditions. From Anansi, the African trickster, to Jack, the bumbling, lucky, persevering Everyman of tradition lore, Norfolk's characters instruct while they entertain.
Copies
No copies available.
Why Mosquitoes Buzz in People's Ears
by Bobby Norfolk, Verna Aardema
In this astonishingly beautiful and imaginatively illustrated picture book, Mosquito tells Iguana a tall tale that sets off a chain reaction that ends in jungle disaster. Iguana is so upset at being told such nonsense that he plugs his ears. So, of course, when Python says good morning, Iguana doesn't hear and ignores him altogether. Python suspects Iguana is plotting mischief against him, so he hides in a rabbit hole - which terrifies Rabbit. And so this amusing African legend goes, until finally the chain of mishaps reaches Mother Owl, who reacts by refusing to hoot and wake in the sun.
Copies
No copies available.
The Moral of the Story
Throughout history, traditional cultures have recognized the role of storytelling in teaching values to children. Yet existing curricula indicates most educators have not fully capitalized on the connection between storytelling, folktales, and character education. The Moral of the Story provides a user-friendly, hands-on approach to using storytelling and folktales in character education.
Copies
No copies available.
Anansí and Turtle Go to Dinner (Story Cove)
by Bobby Norfolk, Sherry Norfolk
A timeless trickster tale from Africa about silly spider, Anansì.
This story provides another classic African folktale about the trickster spider Anansí. First off, it is a custom that whenever a guest arrives at mealtime that the host share his or her food with the guest, whether the visitor is invited or shows up uninvited. In this folktale, Anansí learns that Turtle is coming over and that he must share his dinner with Turtle. Being the trickster that he is, Anansí figures out a way to trick Turtle so that he can keep all of the food for himself. Of course, when Turtle realizes what Anansí has done, he is determined to teach Anansí a lesson.
While author, Bobby Norfolk was visiting the town of Kumasi in Ghana in the summer of 1993, a woman told him, "At four-thirty every afternoon, we try to gather together and have Anansi time." Norfolk attended the afternoon break and heard elders tell stories of Anansi, the tireless trickster of Ghanian tradition. Anansi appears in these stories in his most playful and creative guises. The Norfolks' adaptations brim with action, energy, and humor.
Copies
No copies available.