Double Trouble for Anna Hibiscus!

Toddler-PreS—"Anna Hibiscus lives in Africa. Amazing Africa" begins this newest Anna Hibiscus story, immediately drawing focus to the lush, urban setting. Papa awakens Anna with the news that her twin brothers have arrived in the night. Excited at first, Anna becomes apprehensive when her older cousins tell her that two boys mean big trouble. Concerned, Anna runs back to Mama for comfort, but Mama is sleeping. One by one, her normal routines are disrupted because of the new arrivals, and Anna feels more and more upset. When Papa encounters Anna in high dudgeon over her displacement, he reacts with realistic amusement, telling her, "You will have to share us with your brothers." The page-turn reveals Anna having a total meltdown, shouting, "But it's not fair!" while Papa gently and lovingly holds her close. Anna ultimately understands that routines may change, but she is valued and loved just the same. Although a specific country isn't mentioned, there is a strong sense of place conveyed in the illustrations and text, and Anna Hibiscus's world feels real and familiar.