by Muthoni Karega (Editor), Helen Mwanzi (Editor), Kithaka Wa Mberia (Editor)

The River without Frogs is a delightful collection of short stories, plays and poems selected from a large offering submitted by Kenyan writers gathered at Naivasha in July 1989. The writers were brought together under the auspices of UNICEF to brainstorm the theme of Child Survival and Development. What emerged then, and is distilled here, is vibrant, creative and a joy to read. There are twelve items contained here; five short stories, five poems, and two plays. Two of the pieces are in Kiswahili, in keeping with the bilingual situation in Kenya. All of them are meant for enjoyment - if some message of hope for the child in Kenya and beyond is gleaned from them, this is a welcome bonus.