Awkward Aardvark

by Mwenye Hadithi, Adrienne Kennaway (Illustrator)

Night after night, Aardvark's snoring keeps the other animals awake. Something has got to be done! Mongoose calls everyone together to help, but it's not until the termites get involved that the problem is solved.

Genres: Picture Books, Childrens, Animals

Paperback

First published January 1, 1989

About the author

Mwenye Hadithi, meaning "he who has the stories," is a name used by Bruce Hobson, who was inspired by Adrienne Kennaway's vibrant use of color to write stories for children. Mr. Hobson grew up on ten acres of bush garden with porcupines and gazelles; crocodiles in the rose bed; and a hippopotamus that once got stuck between the courtyard gates--all of which fostered his great love of animals and bush country of Kenya. Mr. Hobson lives in Nairobi with his wife and child.
(From the inside cover of one of his books)

Reviews

[Eddie B. · Rating 3 out of 5]

I love the "African Animal Tales" series and I had high hopes for "Awkward Aardvark" but I found it lazier than the other books.

[Cornelius Clinger · Rating 2 out of 5]

I give The Awkward Aardvark an okay rating because I enjoyed it, but I'm not crazy about it. It is well written, and the illustrations are good. However, some things about it did not impress me. The book reads a bit like a parable and can teach a valuable lesson, but it's up to the person reading it to convey a useful message to the child.
It's also up to them to tell the child it's not okay to gang up on others because they annoy you.

Full review here: https://corneliusclinger.com/2022/08/...

[Darlene · Rating 4 out of 5]

I feel so bad for Aardvark. He can't help his snoring and all the other animals are so mean to him.

[The Brothers · Rating 3 out of 5]

Mongoose has had it with Aardvark's constant snoring every night, so he enlists the aid of other African animals to maek Aardvark go sleep somewhere else. Everything from monkeys to rhinos try to roust Aardvark from his spot on the tree, but he always ends up just falling asleep again. In the end, the only thing that changes Aardvark's sleeping habits is his love of termites (which mostly come out at night).

Illustrations are okay.

[Mary · Rating 3 out of 5]

Mongoose organizes the jungle animals to help stop aardvark's awful snoring from keeping them all awake. The bold illustrations and gentle humor make this a fun read aloud. Pair this with Gerald McDermott's Papagayo: The Mischief Maker.

[Miss Amanda · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great story about why aardvarks eat ants and sleep during the day.

[Tobi · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wasn't what I expected and seemed kind of mean, but more of a Just-so story a la Kipling.