-
Animal Village (Hardcover)
Age Range: 7 – 12 years
Animal Village is an authentic folk tale from the Zarma culture of West Africa about a tortoise who saves her village from the ravages of drought with wisdom passed down from an “old story.” Nelda LaTeef’s colorful and strikingly brilliant montage of illustrations, in acrylic and collage, captures the richness and vibrancy of the sub-Saharan culture from which the story springs.
The story is especially relevant to sub-Saharan Africa as it focuses on the devastation of drought and the importance of received knowledge. With its dual themes of wisdom and grit, the book happily entertains while it teaches the importance of hard work and persistence as keys to success.₵68.00Animal Village (Hardcover)
₵68.00 -
Abla Poku – The Baoulé Queen (Hardcover)
Age Range: 7 – 10 years
This colour illustrated children’s book tells the story of Abena Poku. Once upon a time, there was a mighty kingdom in the central part of ancient Ghana known as the Asante Kingdom. It had a powerful king known as Otumfuo Osei Tutu I, the Asantehene. Osei Tutu I had a niece called Abena Poku.
After some unrest Abena Poku and her people settled in the area between the Comoe and Bandama rivers in the eastern part of the Ivory Coast and founded a kingdom of their own with Abena Poku as the first queen. Her kingdom became known as the Baoulé Kingdom. Abena Poku thus founded a dynasty which has survived to date.
₵66.00 -
Animuonyam The Bully Stopper (Hardcover)
Three boys in school haunt the feeble Aba. This makes her depressed. They threaten to harm her if she dares report. Her bosom friend, Animuonyam, noticing her plight, decides to take on the bullies with the help of his dog, Bubune.
₵60.00 -
Sosu’s Call (Upgraded Version)
Age Range: 12+ years
Sosu’s Call, won the 1999 UNESCO 1st prize for Children’s and Young People’s Literature in the Service of Tolerance. It is listed as one of the top twelve titles of Africa’s 100 Best Books; and has been named an Honor Book for Young Children by the African Studies Association’s Children’s Africana Book Committee, as a contribution to accurate and balanced material on Africa for children.
Beautifully illustrated, the story tells of Sosu, a young disabled boy who cannot walk. Sosu misses going to school and all the activities of the other children. His village is on a lagoon, and one day when everyone is away fishing, working in the fields or at school, he raises the alarm with his drumming, and saves the village from total destruction by the sea. His heroism is rewarded when a wheelchair is donated and at last he can go to school.
₵55.00 -
Le Village des Animaux (Hardcover)
Age Range: 7 – 12 years
“Quelles grandes leçons Nelda LaTeef enseigne aux jeunes et ceux d’entre nous qui ne sont pas si jeunes dans son livre, Le Village des Animaux. Écouter les vieilles histoires transmises des ancêtres; il est toujours mieux de rester ensemble que de se monter les uns contre les autres; Concentrez-vous sur une tâche jusqu’à ce qu’elle soit accomplie et tout est possible, peu à peu.” − Johnnetta Betsch Cole, Directrice: Smithsonian National Musuem of African Art
“Le Village des Animaux est une histoire inspirante qui nous enseigne la persévérance et la valeur du travail d’équipe. L’histoire du livre, Le Village des Animaux est la réflexion de ce qui se passe dans notre village global.” − Benita Ferrero-Waldner, Commissaire Européen au Commerce et aux Relations Extérieures Chef du Protocole des Nations Unies
₵55.00 -
The Blue Marble (Hardcover)
Age Range: 9 – 15 years
Published in association with UNESCO, this originally illustrated book is the result of the first in a planned series of workshops convened by UNESCO for authors, illustrators and publishers of children’s books in African and Arabic countries. The idea of the workshops is to produce children’s books that deal with the UNESCO themes of tolerance, cultural diversity, understanding between peoples, and peace. The story, The Blue Marble, was selected for publication by the participants of the workshop held in Namibia, and collectively illustrated under the guidance of the prize-winning children’s book author and illustrator, Meshack Asare.
The narrative tells of three young sisters, Nafula, Ajambo and Samanya whose mother has died and father been made unemployed. The girls battle through life together hawking freshly made pancakes, in an effort to raise money to pay their school fees. They live in fear of their father wanting to get married again – to a woman: who subsequently becomes their dreaded stepmother figure. Then one of the girls, Ajambo, finds a lucky marble, and things slowly begin to look up for them.
₵55.00The Blue Marble (Hardcover)
₵55.00 -
The Canoe’s Story (Hardcover)
Age Range: 6 – 12 years
“But I did not have time yet to stare and wonder. The men wrestled me out of the machine and pushed and towed me across the sand to the shade of coconut palms. The moment I touched the ground, I heard a chorus of voices saying, ‘Akwaaba. Welcome to the coast!’ It was from the group of canoes and I was rather surprised that they spoke my language. But needed not be surprised. I had forgotten that they all came from the same forest in the hitherland where I too had come from.”
Written by Ghanaian author Meshack Asare, The Canoe’s Story is a children’s book about a tree’s journey from the forest to becoming a canoe sailing the ocean. Told from the tree’s perspective, this richly illustrated story, portrays the strong ties between man and nature.
₵55.00 -
The Cross Drums (Hardcover)
Age Range: 7 – 12 years
Selected by the International Youth Library, Munich, for the 2009 White Ravens list of outstanding new books for children and young adults
“The drums called to each other. The drummers hailed each other and the calling and hailing got stronger and stronger. Then it got so strong that the drums and the drummers began to walk to the gates. All the children that had gathered round them got up and followed. They followed the drummers out through the gates and on to the open field.
“Together they danced on the path, the same path that brought the men who came to throw the flames that burned their homes. They danced happily on the path across the a continued to follow the drummers.
“They followed them to the baobab tree. And there under the tree, they came face to face with other children. They had come from the other village but they too swayed and skipped and hopped and laughed. They too were happy, just like them.”
Another exciting story promoting peace and tolerance from the internationally renowned writer and illustrator, Meshack Asare of Ghana.
₵55.00The Cross Drums (Hardcover)
₵55.00 -
Where is Naledi? (Hardcover)
Age Range: 3 – 8 years
Naledi is a meerkat pup who gets lost and separated from her family. The humans caught her and put her in a cage! There, she meets Diriwa, an adult meerkat who has been a pet for a long time. Diriwa warns her that there are a lot of bad things about being a pet, so Naledi runs away to look for her family. Meanwhile, her family keeps searching for her in the desert. There are a lot of dangers when you are alone in the wild! Will Naledi find her family?
₵55.00Where is Naledi? (Hardcover)
₵55.00 -
Yennenga La Princesse de Dagomba (French Edition, Hardcover)
Age Range: 7 – 12 years
Yennenga, la fille du roi de Dagomba, apprit tôt à monter à cheval et à se battre comme un homme. Ainsi, son père aimait l’emmener combattre avec lui, car elle était une excellente guerrière! À cause de cela, le père de Yennenga refusa de la donner en mariage. Et elle qui désirait vivement se marier et avoir des enfants, se disputa avec son père qui la mit en prison. Mais elle réussit à fuir le Royaume…
₵55.00 -
The Talking Baobab Tree (Hardcover)
Age Range: 7 – 12 years
A rabbit, lost in the desert and saved by a baobab tree, outwits a stronger, envious neighbor.
“Guess what! The Baobab tree is saving the jewels for you! There they are, the pictures on every page (and the wisdom that comes with them).” — Dr Mary Catherine Bateson, Author and Cultural Anthropologist
“A lovely folktale on the importance of wisdom, truth and keeping your word.” — Marie-Monique Steckel, President, French Institute Alliance Francaise, New York
₵55.00 -
Gizo-Gizo: Tatsuniya daga Tafkin Zongo (Hausa, Hardcover)
Age Range: 5 – 12 years
Hausa language edition
Gizo-Gizo! was awarded Best Book for young people in the 25th Children’s Africana Book Awards.
In Hausa culture, you always begin telling a story in the same way: The storyteller says, “Ga ta nan ga ta nanku!” “I am about to begin!” And the children respond, “Tazo Mujita!” “We are all ears!”
Using story as the primary learning, teaching and engagement tool, the Zongo Story Project strives to elevate proficiencies in oral, written, and visual forms of literacy; promote the knowledge building of local history, local culture and local contemporary concerns; and lay the crucial foundation for the acquisition of vital twenty-first century critical thinking skills. The conceptual framework for this project originated out of a larger, community-based initiative called the Zongo Water Project, whose mission is to use water as a way to improve the quality of life for the Zongo.
Working closely with local teachers, Emily Williamson carried out a series of educational workshops at the Hassaniyya Quranic School in the summers of 2012, 2013, and 2014 to teach students about local water and environmental concerns. Employing the story as the foundational element, Emily engaged students in dialogue, shared readings, performances, writing exercises, and visual art, culminating in community drama performances and original folktales.
The illustrations and text of this book grew directly out of the work produced in these workshops.
₵55.00 -
Mimi Mystery (Hardcover)
Age Range: 7 – 12 years
A little girl with an angelic voice is banned by her mother from singing in public because it is taboo in her society for a respectable female to sing in public. Belayn is devastated! She loves singing! How does little Belayn do what she loves most without offending her family?
₵55.00Mimi Mystery (Hardcover)
₵55.00 -
Yennenga: The Dagomba Princess (Hardcover)
Age Range: 7 – 12 years
Yennenga was very atheletic and she learnt to shoot arrows, and throw spears. She also learnt the art of horse riding. Her father gave her a special stallion called Ouedrago. At age fourteen she was a very skillful horse rider and an adept javelin thrower. Her father therefore took her to battles. She was a very good warrior! Her father became very proud of her and, in fact, made her a battalion commander. At fourteen years of age, Yennenga started helping her father in battles. Because of her skill in battle, her father refused to give her away in marriage. Yennenga loved fighting for her father in war but she also yearned to be a married woman and have children of her own. However, her father refused to give her away to any of the many suitors who sought her hand in marriage.
₵55.00 -
Sosu’s Call
Age Range: 7 – 12 years
Sosu’s Call, won the 1999 UNESCO 1st prize for Children’s and Young People’s Literature in the Service of Tolerance. It is listed as one of the top twelve titles of Africa’s 100 Best Books; and has been named an Honor Book for Young Children by the African Studies Association’s Children’s Africana Book Committee, as a contribution to accurate and balanced material on Africa for children.
Beautifully illustrated on artpaper, the story tells of Sosu, a young disabled boy who cannot walk. Sosu misses going to school and all the activities of the other children. His village is on a lagoon, and one day when everyone is away fishing, working in the fields or at school, he raises the alarm with his drumming, and saves the village from total destruction by the sea. His heroism is rewarded when a wheelchair is donated and at last he can go to school.
₵30.00 – ₵55.00Sosu’s Call
₵30.00 – ₵55.00