Children's Picture Books: Stories set in Ghana

Afia the Ashanti Princess

2020

by Crystal Boateng and Gabriela Yancheva

"Looking for an engaging book to teach children about building self-confidence, developing a sense of pride in their family history, and looking beyond tiaras and princess dresses? This is it! Afia is a young girl who dreams of being a princess but doesn't know of any princesses who look like her. She travels to Ghana to visit her grandmother and learns about her ancestor who was a brave warrior queen.This is the debut story in the Ashanti Princess and Prince book series. The purpose of this book series is to: 1. Emphasize the importance of diverse representation in children's books; 2. Introduce young girls and boys of diverse backgrounds to stories which allow them to relate to the main characters; 3. Encourage children to learn about their family history and cultural heritage; 4. Empower children to develop self-confidence and a sense of pride in their diverse family backgrounds; and 5. Inspire all readers to develop an interest in learning more about African history and culture." -- publisher

Red Shoes

2020

by Karen English and Ebony Glenn

"Malika is delighted when Nana surprises her with a beautiful new pair of red shoes! And with a click-clack-click and a swish, swish, swish, Malika wears her wonderful new shoes everywhere she goes. But one day, the shoes begin to pinch Malika's toes. And alas, they don't let her forget that her feet have grown! Soon Malika and Nana are off to the Rare Finds Resale Shop, where the shoes can be resold -- so somebody else can enjoy them! Who will be the next to wear the red shoes? Malika wonders. Then Inna Ziya buys the shoes, and readers follow the shoes all the way across the world to Ghana in Africa, where Amina, another little girl, who has fasted her first time for Ramadan is about to get an amazing gift! Karen English and Ebony Glenn have crafted a satisfying and heartwarming story about a pair of shoes, two girls, and a connection they share across continents." -- publisher

Maya Angelou

2019

by Danielle Jawando and Noa Snir

"Maya Angelou was an African-American author, poet, playwright and civil rights activist. She wrote seven autobiographies, three books of essays, several books of poetry, and a long list of plays, films and television shows. Never taking ‘No’ for an answer, Maya used her voice and her art to overcome prejudice and difficulty and to become an inspiration to those around her and to future generations. Her story is a rich and remarkable one – a tale filled with strength, hardship and hope. Maya learned the importance of using her own voice to help others and change the world!" -- publisher

Rise!

2019

by Bethany Hegedus and Tonya Engel

"A biography of African American writer, performer, and activist Maya Angelou, who turned a childhood of trauma and emotional pain to become one of the most inspiring voices of our lifetime. Includes afterword, author's note, and sources"--

Songs in the shade of the cashew and coconut trees

2019

by Nathalie Soussana and Judith Gueyfier

Collects songs in a wide array of styles--nursery rhymes from Gabon, lullabies from Cape Verde, and rumbas from the Congo--that are performed in more than a dozen languages

Deron goes to nursery school

2015

by Ifeoma Onyefulu

Deron attends his first day of nursery school, where he meets his new teacher, plays with his schoolmates, and enjoys storytime

Emmanuel’s dream

2015

by Laurie Ann Thompson and Sean Qualls

Born in Ghana, West Africa, with one deformed leg, he was dismissed by most people--but not by his mother, who 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, became a cyclist. He rode an astonishing four hundred miles across Ghana in 2001, spreading his powerful message: disability is not inability. Today, Emmanuel continues to work on behalf of the disabled

Grandma comes to stay

2010

by Ifeoma Onyefulu

A young girl in Ghana awaits the arrival of her grandmother for a visit. When she arrives, her grandmother shows her how to wear traditional dress, reads her favourite book, and takes her to see dancers at a festival

One hen

2008

by Katie Smith Milway and Eugenie Fernandes

"Inspired by true events, One Hen tells the story of Kojo, a boy from Ghana who turns a small loan into a thriving farm and a livelihood for many...One Hen shows what happens when a little help makes a big difference. The final pages of One Hen explain the microloan system and include a list of relevant organizations for children to explore." ~publisher

Anansi and Turtle Go to Dinner

2007

by Bobby Norfolk, Sherry Norfolk and Baird Hoffmire

"In this trickster tale from Africa, Anansí learns the value of being a good host. He also learns the truth of the old saying, 'What goes around, comes around.' A timeless trickster tale from Africa about silly spider, Anansì. This story provides another classic African folktale about the trickster spider Anansí. First off, it is a custom that whenever a guest arrives at mealtime that the host share his or her food with the guest, whether the visitor is invited or shows up uninvited. In this folktale, Anansí learns that Turtle is coming over and that he must share his dinner with Turtle. Being the trickster that he is, Anansí figures out a way to trick Turtle so that he can keep all of the food for himself. Of course, when Turtle realizes what Anansí has done, he is determined to teach Anansí a lesson." -- publisher