The Story of Sambo and the Twins

London: Nisbet & Co. Ltd, 1937. Hardcover. Good. Bannerman, Helen. A New Adventure of Little Black Sambo. Small hardback, pale blue cloth with blue titles on spine, titles and ripple design on front. Some sunning / edge wear. 90pp illustrated in colour throughout. Undated circa late1930s. Occasional marks, but generally nice and clean inside. Sambo saves his siblings from the wicked monkeys with the help of an eagle. Charming original illustrations by Bannerman. When first published Bannerman’s books, about Sambo, his family and friends, were praised by some as a rare positive portrayal of a black / asian hero in childrens’ fiction. However, the naming of the characters and some of the illustrations (usually the USA/ Japanese editions) are considered offensive to some. The stories are based on her time in India and the stories reflect Indian / Tamil culture.