Meet Hana
Find out who Hana is, what she dreams about, and why she decides to leave Harar for the bright lights of Addis Ababa.
Meet Hana→✨⭐💫⭐✨
Hana the Hyena · An Ethiopian children's story
The Hyena Who Went To Dinner
A heartwarming Ethiopian tale of courage, friendship & food.
In The Hyena Who Went To Dinner, curious young Hana the Hyena leaves her quiet home in Harar for the bright lights of Addis Ababa, everything feels huge, loud, and unfamiliar. Just when she starts to feel very small, a kind family invites her home for dinner – and everything changes.
Hana's story gently explores belonging, hospitality, and the joy of sharing food and culture.
For children aged 6+ · Perfect for bedtime, classrooms, and libraries.
Hana's big-city adventure🐾
By Joseph Afolabi & Feven Teshome
Set in Ethiopia 🇪🇹
About the book
In The Hyena Who Went To Dinner, Hana the Hyena, a young hyena from Harar, dreams of visiting Addis Ababa. When she finally reaches the big city, everything feels loud, fast, and unfamiliar. For a moment, she wonders if she made a mistake.
Everything changes when a kind family notices her, smiles, and invites her to share their dinner table. Around soft injera, spicy doro wat, and tender gomen besiga, Hana discovers new flavours, new friends, and a new kind of courage. By sharing her own traditions too, she learns that even when we are different, we can still belong.
Why children (and adults) love it
- A brave, funny animal character children can root for.
- Repeating lines and rhythm that invite children to join in.
- A gentle way to explore courage, kindness, and trying new things.
- Rich Ethiopian setting that brings real places and food into children's imaginations.
Explore Hana's world
Whether you are a child, a parent, or a teacher, there is more to discover. Meet Hana, play through her adventure, and use the free resources to bring the story to life.
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Play & Activities
Download free colouring pages, puzzles, and creative worksheets based on Hana's journey from Harar to Addis Ababa.
Visit the play page→👩🏫
For Parents & Teachers
Access a one-page discussion guide, theme ideas, and simple activities to support learning about courage, belonging, and Ethiopian culture.
See the guide→Where is Hana?
Ready to share The Hyena Who Went To Dinner?
Bring Hana the Hyena's adventure into your home or classroom, then return here for free activities, discussion ideas, and future adventures with Hana.
View the book on Amazon
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