Elizabeti series

A new baby brother or sister? First day of school jitters?

This contemporary, award-winning series follows a young girl in Tanzania as she adjusts to the trials and rewards of becoming a big sister, and to the mixture of excitement, anxiety, and relief she feels on the first day of school.

Author Stephanie Stuve-Bodeen and illustrator Christy Hale have created a loving, tender series to which all children—and parents—can relate.

Each book touches on experiences that many children share, highlighting the sweet innocence of a child’s imagination and the love between mother and daughter, while at the same time offering an intimate view of contemporary African culture. Readers are sure to share Elizabeti’s joy and wonder as she discovers the important and sometimes humorous responsibilities of parenting and the excitement of learning.

Elizabeti’s Doll
Mama Elizabeti
Elizabeti’s School
La escuela de Elizabeti
La muñeca de Elizabeti
Elizabeti Collection (all 3 titles)

Teaching the Elizabeti series:

Elizabeti series teacher’s guide

Elizabeti's Doll guided reading lesson plan

Check out craft instructions to make a doll and a kanga from illustrator Christy Hale.

More resources:

Elizabeti’s Doll interview with Stephanie Stuve-Bodeen

Peace Corps Writers interview with Stephanie Stuve-Bodeen

Other Books Set in Tanzania:

Babu’s Song
Joshua’s Masai Mask

Stephanie Stuve-Bodeen is the author of several popular books picture books and novels for young readers. She lived in Tanzania, Africa, as a Peace Corps volunteer in the 1980s, and it was there that she met the young girl who was the inspiration for the three books in the Elizabeti series. Currently she lives with her family in the Midwest.

Christy Hale has illustrated numerous award-winning children’s books, and is also the author/illustrator of The East and West House and Dreaming Up. As an art educator, Hale has introduced young readers to the lives and works of many artists through Instructor magazine’s Masterpiece of the Month feature and accompanying workshops. She lives in Palo Alto, California, with her family.

Do you know of more resources educators use to teach the Elizabeti series? Are you interested in having Lee & Low Books feature your lesson plan or unit on our Elizabeti page? Email us at jeisenberg[at]leeandlow[dot]com.