Our Favorite African Picture Books
Our favorite books are here and you won’t want to miss them. We spoke with teachers, librarians and parents to find out what their most beloved African picture books that they felt should be on every child’s shelves.
Top Book About Self-Love and Identity
Muhiima’s Quest by Rahma Rodaah ♥ (Somalia)
Although her family does not celebrate birthdays, Muhiima wakes on the morning of her 10th birthday to an unusual surprise. Her mother gives her a carefully drawn map with instructions not to ask questions, but to simply follow the map. Muhiima sets off on her bicycle to begin a quest that will take her all around town. At each destination on the map she is gifted with an important message and a mysterious little box. Travel with Muhiima on her journey and discover how the pieces of this puzzle come together. Muhiima’s Quest is a story of self-discovery and a celebration of diversity with the message that our heritage and faith are what make us unique and special.
Top Book with Family Change (Sibling Story)
The Biggest Little Brother by Aminata Jalloh ♥ (Sierra Leone)
From helping his mother make West African doughnuts to fixing his sister’s toys, Sowa is always helping his mom, dad, and little sister. That is what a big brother does. But when his big brother Hindo who has been living in Sierra Leone moves to the United States, Sowa quickly realizes he is not the big brother anymore,
The Biggest Little Brother is a touching sibling story that is both beautifully written and illustrated. It manage to explore these complexities of immigration, family change, and sibling relationships in a way that all young readers can relate to.
Top Book About Taking Action
The Boy Who Harnessed the Wind by William Kamkwamba ♥ (Malawi)
When fourteen-year-old William's village was hit by a drought, everyone's crops began to die. Without enough money for food or school. William begins to spend his days in the library and figures out how to bring electricity to his village.
Lyrically told and illustrated, this story will inspire many as it shows how, even in the worst of times, a great idea and a lot of hard work can still rock the world.
Top Book Featuring a Character with a Disability (Determination)
Emmanuel’s Dream by Laurie Ann Thompson (Ghana)
Emmanuel Ofosu Yeboah's inspiring true story of a young boy born in Ghana with one deformed leg. He was dismissed by most people in his community but not by his mother. His mother taught him to reach for his dreams. As a boy, Emmanuel hopped to school more than two miles each way, learned to play soccer, left home at age thirteen to provide for his family, and, eventually and became a cyclist. He rode an astonishing four hundred miles across Ghana in 2001, spreading his powerful message: disability is not inability.
Top Folktale Book (Not Giving Up)
Give Up, Gecko! by Margaret Read MacDonald (Uganda)
A whimsical folktale from Uganda. It is dry season and all the animal are trying to get water. They decide that whoever can find water will be the chief of them all. All the animals, from the large elephant to the boar to rhino and hippo try to no avail.
Then Gecko gives it a go. He is small...but he is determined. Kids will love to chant and stomp along to this Ugandan folktale.
Top Non-Fiction/Informational Text
E is for Ethiopia by Ashenafi Gudeta ♥ (Ethiopia)
Ethiopia is one of the oldest civilizations in the world. This book explore Ethiopia from the wildlife to its rich in history to its diversity in traditions, cultures and languages.