"Anna Hibiscus lives in Africa. Amazing Africa!" That is how most of the chapters in the various Anna Hibiscus early reader series begin, and you easily see the amazing-ness that author Atinuke creates of young Anna's life. Living with her parents and twin brothers (Double and Trouble), Anna goes through her everyday life with curiosity and delight. From taking a family vacation, to starting school, to preparing to visit her grandmother in Canada, Anna's experiences are similar enough to American children's lives to be familiar, but different enough to hold novelty.
There has been an explosion in excellent early readers books (designated with the "R" spine label in Tulsa City-County Libraries), and this series is one example of how simple text and images, along with an engaging main character and story, can help new readers bridge the gap to more complex chapter books.
Book 1: Anna Hibiscus
Book 2: Hooray for Anna Hibiscus!
Book 3: Good Luck, Anna Hibiscus!
Book 4: Have Fun, Anna Hibiscus!