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The Library Tree: How a Canadian Woman Brought the Joy of Reading to a Generation of African Children
“You are proof that the vision and actions of just one person can make a tremendous difference in so many lives!” — Michaelle Jean, former Governor General of Canada, following a visit to the Nima Library, November 2006
It began one afternoon in the shade of a tree in the yard of a Canadian woman living in Ghana, West Africa. Kathy Knowles brought out a basketful of books thinking she might amuse the neighbourhood kids by reading to them.
Over 20 years, that simple storytelling session morphed into seven large community libraries in impoverished areas of the country’s capital, support for more than 200 similar initiatives around Ghana and other African countries, and a publishing venture that produces children’s books tailor-made for the African culture.
Kathy Knowles now runs her volunteer-based Osu Children’s Library Fund from her Winnipeg home with twice-yearly trips to Ghana. Her work promoting libraries and literacy in Africa has been recognised internationally. Her unflagging enthusiasm has created bricks-and-mortar projects and has brought the wonder of reading to thousands of children.
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My Happy Book (Hardcover)
Age Range: 2 – 6 years
Peace is a happy girl. Photographs capture these happy moments with Peace’s family and friends.
₵45.00My Happy Book (Hardcover)
₵45.00 -
Nana and Me
Age Range: 2 – 7 years
An “Honour Book” designation by the 2012 Children’s Africana Book Award jury.
One hundred Ghanaian children wrote about their grandmothers, and Kathy Knowles created this story from their words.
₵42.00Nana and Me
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City Sounds
Age Range: 2 – 5 years
Read about daily sounds heard by a young boy living in the vibrant, bustling community of Nima, Accra, Ghana.
₵50.00City Sounds
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Otu Goes to Sea
Age Range: 5 – 10 years
Photos by Kathy Knowles
Fourteen year old Otu lives in the Ghanaian fishing village of Goi where his family has fished for generations. From Monday to Friday, he is a class four student, but every Saturday he goes to sea with his extended family. This true story describes a family fishing operation. It also highlights the importance of one of Ghana’s valuable natural resources.
₵36.00Otu Goes to Sea
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Akosua’s Gift
Age Range: 7 – 10 years
Original Ghanaian story by Angela Christian and retold by Kathy Knowles; illustrations by Edmund Opare
A “Notable Book” designation by the 2012 Children’s Africana Book Award jury.
Akosua learned to make clay pots by watching her mother. She decides to make a water pot to present as a gift to her sister on her wedding day.
₵57.00Akosua’s Gift
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My Orange Book
Age Range: 2 – 5 years
Celebrating the colour orange in Africa.
“I like orange. The comb is orange. The cap is orange…Bye-bye orange.”
₵50.00My Orange Book
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My Pink Book
Age Range: 2 – 5 years
Celebrating the colour pink in Africa.
“I like pink. The doll is pink. The cup is pink…Bye-bye pink.”
₵36.00My Pink Book
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My Green Book
Age Range: 2 – 5 years
Celebrating the colour green in Africa.
“I like green. The shorts are green. The ball is green…Bye-bye green.”
₵36.00My Green Book
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My Blue Book
Age Range: 2 – 5 years
Celebrating the colour blue in Africa.
“I like blue. The sky is blue. The soap is blue…Bye–bye blue.”
₵36.00My Blue Book
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My Violet Book
Age Range: 2 – 5 years
Celebrating the colour violet in Africa.
“I like violet. The shirt is violet. The cup is violet…Bye-bye violet.”
₵36.00My Violet Book
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One Little Crab: A Counting Book from Ghana
Age Range: 2 – 5 years
Learn to count while celebrating everyday life in Ghana, West Africa.
₵36.00 -
See You Later
Age Range: 2 – 5 years
Enjoy the farewell wishes of the Alligator and his friend Crocodile along with Edmund’s whimsical illustrations. Look for the blue bird on each page!
₵36.00See You Later
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All About Ama (Hardcover)
Age Range: 2 – 5 years
Read All About Ama as she points to and names different parts of her body.
Illustrated with colour photos, this short, simple concept book, though developed by Kathy Knowles for an African readership, should also have a North American market as nothing in the photos, including the background, situates the book geographically. The concept with which the book deals is that of the body’s principal parts, including the number of each. The book’s narrator, Ama, who is a very cute little girl, begins at her head and simply works her way down to her two feet, before pointing out, almost as an afterthought, “I have LOTS of hair.”
All About Ama, with its tight, brief text, is a fine book for parents to use with their youngsters as they learn the names of body parts. Just 18 cm high by 16 cm wide, the book is also the perfect size for young hands to hold.
An excellent home purchase for toddlers, All About Ama deserves a place in all libraries serving preschoolers.
₵36.00All About Ama (Hardcover)
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Crocodile Bread (Hardcover)
Age Range: 4 – 8 years
Agnes Amoah is a proud baker in Ghana. She has been making crocodile bread ever since she was a little girl. Francisca, her granddaughter, tells the story.
A great book to introduce your children to breadmaking and baking!
₵63.00Crocodile Bread (Hardcover)
₵63.00