Children's picture book. It's Christmas time, and Afam has decided to create and dance his own masquerade, just like the big celebratory Mmo (masquerades) which he sees performing at festivals. Each time he starts collecting things to make his costume, family preparations for Christmas - haircuts, visiting the tailor, a church service, a trip to their village - get in the way. But in the end, Afam performs the most beautiful masquerade ever! Full colour photos, 32pp, UK. FRANCES LINCOLN LTD.

Two and a half years of inspired, meticulous 'stitching', a stellar reproduction and imagery with a South African flavour makes for an original book - an embroidered advent calendar for children in story form. 36pp, SOUTH AFRICA. JACANA MEDIA.

Thando lives in the Valley of a Thousand Hills. One Christmas she remembers the story of the beautiful rain goddess, Nomkhublwana. Thando wishes very hard that the goddess will visit her in the valley and bring her something special for Christmas. 24pp, SOUTH AFRICA. MASKEW MILLER LONGMAN.

2002 0636049469 Paperback Ages 3+

It's nearly Christmas, and Tyler's family are putting up the decorations. But when Tyler picks up the broken Christmas tree angel, he can't help asking why there aren't any black angels. When no one can answer him, he goes looking for one. 32pp, UK. FRANCES LINCOLN.

16 festive tracks, including Avak Avak (Joy to the World) by the African Gospel Choir. USA. PUTUMAYO.

Five stories from Ghana, Russia, Mexico, Syria and Malta commemorating the Christmas story. Illustrated in colour. 48pp, UK. FRANCES LINCOLN

A little book focusing on Kwanzaa, a cultural holiday celebrated by African Americans, each page looking at a particular aspect of the festival. Includes stickers. 12pp, USA. DOVER, 0486421791

2002 Paperback

This exciting story about Saga Zaab, Egzir Haraya and the Archangel Michael was written seven hundred years ago and is one of the best loved tales in Ethiopia's rich and ancient literature. Illustrated with paintings from an original eighteenth century manuscript. 32pp, UK. MACMILLAN EDUCATION.

1985 0333934393 Paperback

The story of the Nativity as told to children in Ethiopia. Illustrated with 200 year old illuminations. 32pp, UK. MACMILLAN EDUCATION.

Set in Africa during the Christmas season, this is the story of a village preparing for a celebration - the birth of a child. The story is told in verse inspired by the traditional carol The Twelve Days of Christmas, but in this version by the author Catherine House the gifts are: 1 stork in a baobab tree, 2 thatched huts, 3 woven baskets, 4 market traders, 5 bright khangas, 6 women pounding, 7 children playing, 8 wooden carvings, 9 grazing goats, 10 drummers drumming, 11 dancers dancing and 12 storytellers. This is a Christmas steeped in the atmosphere of African village life, including descriptions of the objects and activities mentioned in the text. 32pp, UK. FRANCES LINCOLN.

On different sides of the globe, a young woman baking bread, a mother nursing her child, and a grandmother telling her stories see a bright new star rising in the sky. The three women meet on a path of starlight to follow where it leads and each gives her own present to the baby it shines down on. 36pp, UK. FRANCES LINCOLN.

1999 0711220220 Paperback

It's time to get ready for Kwanzaa! A beautifully illustrated picture book about a little girl getting ready with her family for her first Kwanzaa celebration. 28pp, USA. HENRY HOLT & CO, 080507077X

2003 Paperback

Suitable for ages 2+