A Counter Reading of Globalised Children ' s Literature in Mollel ' s Books

Abstract

This article analyses the perceptions of an African audience of books written about Africa published and mostly sold in the west working on the assumption that they primarily target a Western audience. Drawing insights from postcolonial and children ' s literature scholars, the study sought to bring into the conversation the voice of the otherwise marginalised population; African children who are represented in these texts. Based on ethnographic studies conducted in Dar es Salaam amongst primary school students, students and staff from the University of Dar es Salaam, and some staff from the Children ' s Books Project focusing on Mollel Tolowa ' s seven books. The primary aim was to get perceptions from a Tanzanian audience.  Both young and older readers alike highly spoke of the quality and for having a relatively fair representation of Tanzania. On the other hand, the readers observed strongly that these books were.Keywords:African children ' s literature, Mollel Tolowa, African audience https://dx.doi.org/10.56279/ummaj.v10i1.4