Recommended Picture Books on Africa
The following is a list of children’s picture books that center African voices and experiences and celebrate the great diversity of the continent. The list was curated by the K-16 Outreach Program team and is designed for children from PreK – 6th grade. Each title is accompanied by the author’s name, the story’s country of origin, a synopsis, and the publication date.
PreK – Kindergarten
Bringing the Rain to Kapiti Plain (Verna Aadema) / KENYA
A nursery rhyme that tells the story of how the protagonist Ki-pat brings rain to the Kapiti Plain during a drought (1992).
Not So Fast, Songololo (Niki Daly) / SOUTH AFRICA
The story documents the adventures of a boy out on a shopping spree in the big city with his grandmother (2001).
Moja Means One: A Swahili Counting Book (Muriel Feelings) / KENYA
This book teaches children how to count to ten in Swahili, while introducing them to introduces East African culture (1992).
Osa's Pride (Ann Grifalconi) / CENTRAL AFRICAN REPUBLIC
This book tells the story of a proud little girl named Osa whose behavior is corrected by her stern and loving grandmother (1990).
Distant Talking Drum (Isaac Olaleye) / NIGERIA
A collection of poems for young children inspired by Nigeria (1995).
A is for Africa (Ife Nii Owoo) / UNKNOWN
An alphabet book for young children (1991).
Galimoto (Karen Lynn Williams) / MALAWI
Kondi works hard to make a galimoto—a toy vehicle made of wires (1991).
Songs in the Shade of the Cashew and Coconut Trees (Nathalie Soussanana) / WEST AFRICA
Winner of the 2020 Children’s Africana Book Awards (CABA), this book is a collection of songs about children in a wide array of styles—nursery rhymes from Gabon, lullabies from Cape Verde, and rumbas from the Congo. The book includes the cultural background of each song, and a world map (2019).
Nana Akua Goes to School (Tricia Elam Walker) / GHANA
In this story, Ghanian-American protagonist Zura brings her Ghanian grandmother to meet her classmates at school (2020).
Idia of the Benin Kingdom (Ekiuwa Aire) / BENIN
This book takes place 1500s in ancient Africa in the Kingdom of Benin. In the story, protagonist Idia transforms herself from the young and curious daughter of a village warrior to the Queen of the Kingdom of Benin (2020).
The Talking Baobab Tree (Nelda LaTeef) / SENEGAL
The Talking Baobab Tree is a traditional Wolof tale from a village in the outskirts of Dakar, Senegal. Wolof proverbs are woven into the story in addition to Wolof words (2020).
Grandpa Cacao: A Tale of Chocolate, From Farm to Family (Elizabeth Zunon) / IVORY COAST /
In this story, a little girls learns about how her farmer grandfather harvested cacao beans as she bakes a chocolate cake with her father (2019).
Sing to the Moon (Nansubuga Nagadya Isdahl) / UGANDA
A grandfather and his grandson enjoy a rainy day together (2019).
Baby Goes to Market (Atinuke) / NIGERIA
A baby accompanies his mother to a bustling market in Southwest Nigeria (2017).
1st – 3rd Grade
The Fortune-Tellers (Lloyd Alexander) / CAMEROON
A folktale set in Cameroon that tells the story of a man who becomes the village fortune-teller (1997).
Bringing the Rain to Kapiti Plain (Verna Aadema) / KENYA
A nursery rhyme that tells the story of how the protagonist Ki-pat brings rain to the Kapiti Plain during a drought (1992).
Amoko and Efua Bear (Sonia Appiah) / GHANA
The protagonist Amoko is heartbroken when she discovers that she has lost her favorite toy, a teddy bear, and endeavors to find him (1989).
Reflections of My First Trip to Africa (Atlantis & Anthony Browder) / EGYPT
The story follows the experiences of 7-year-old protagonist Atlantis Browder during a two week stay in Egypt. During her trip, Atlantis explores ancient Egypt (2019).
It Takes a Village (Jane Cowen-Fletcher) / BENIN
This book tells the story of Yemi who is tasked with taking care of her younger brother while her mother sells mangoes at the village market. The story depicts village life with vibrant illustrations and follows Yemi’s troubles watching over her trouble-making younger sibling (1994).
The Village of Round and Square Houses (Ann Grifalconi) / CENTRAL AFRICAN REPUBLIC
This story takes place in the village of Tos, where the women live in round houses and the men live in square ones. The story is told from the perspective of a young girl who grows up there (1986).
African Dream (Eloise Greenfield) / UNKNOWN
In this Coretta Scott King Award–winning picture book, the protagonist takes a magical journey to Africa, the land of her ancestors (1991).
The Day of Ahmed's Secret (Florence Parry Heide) / EGYPT
In this story the protagonist Ahmed delivers butane gas to customers all over the city of Cairo. As he makes his deliveries he ponders the secret that he carries – a secret that he can only reveal to his family when he returns home at the end his busy day (1995).
Boundless Grace (Mary Hoffman) / UNKNOWN
In this sequel to “Amazing Grace,” a little girl travels to Africa to visit her father and his new family (2000).
At the Crossroads (Rachel Isadora) / SOUTH AFRICA
In a South African village children eagerly gather at the crossroads to welcome their fathers, who have been away for months working in the mines (1994).
Over the Green Hill (Rachel Isadora) / SOUTH AFRICA
In this story, the protagonist Zolani and his mother go to visit Grandma Zindzi in the Transkei countryside (2019).
Anansi and the Moss Covered Rock (Eric A. Kimmel) / UNKNOWN
Anansi the Spider finds a strange moss-covered rock in the forest, he uses it to trick all his animal friends, but is beaten at his own game (1988).
Mcheshi Goes to Market (Jay Kitsao) / KENYA
The protagonist Mcheshi takes a tour of a market, meeting a variety of traders. Winner of the Jomo Kenyatta Award for Children’s Literature (1993).
Fire on the Mountain (Jane Kurtz) / ETHIOPIA
A retelling of an Ethiopian folktale about a boy who is challenged by his master to spend a cold night alone on a mountain (1994).
Pulling the Lion's Tail (Jane Kurtz) / ETHIOPIA
To gain the love of her father’s new wife, protagonist Almaz endeavors to grab handful of hair from the tail of a lion (1995).
Jafta: The Journey (Hugh Lewin) / SOUTH AFRICA
In this story, the protagonist Jafta travels with his mother to the city where his father works (1984).
Rehema's Journey: A Visit to Tanzania (Barbara Margolies) / TANZANIA
Rehema accompanies her father to Arusha City and visits the Ngorongoro Crater (1990).
Somewhere in Africa (Ingrid Mennen) / UNKNOWN
A young boy describes the sights and sounds of an African city (1992).
Big Boy (Tololwa Mollel) / TANZANIA
This book recounts the adventures of Little Oli with his older brother, Mbachu (1997).
The Flying Tortoise: An Igbo Tale (Tololwa Mollel) / NIGERIA
In this story, haughty Mbeku the tortoise attempts to control the other animals. It is a retelling of a traditional Igbo tale from Nigeria.(1994).
Ogbo: Sharing Life in an African Village (Ifeoma Onyefulu) / NIGERIA
A profile of contemporary Nigerian village life seen through the eyes of Obioma (1996).
Africa is Not a Country (Margy Burns Knight) / UNKNOWN
Depicting daily modern life of children across the continent, this book celebrates the diversity of African life as experienced by children Enter into the daily life of children at home, school, and play.(2002).
The New King (Diane Rappaport) / MADAGASCAR
In this story, the young Prince Rakoto learns to cope with his father’s death (1995).
Tutankhamen's Gift (Robert Sabuda) / EGYPT
This book tells the legend of Tutankhamen, a small, frail, and ignored member of the royal family of the great Egyptian pharaoh Amenhotep III (1997).
Charlie's House (Reviva Schermbucher) / UKNOWN
In this story, protagonist Charlie Mogotsi builds a house using mud and his imagination (1991).
The Day Gogo Went to Vote (Eleanor Sisulu) / SOUTH AFRICA
In this story, protagonist Thembi witnesses her great-grandmother travel to the polls after the black South Africans are given the democratic vote for the first time in the country’s history (1996).
Mufaro's Beautiful Daughters: An African Tale (John Steptoe) / ZIMBABWE
This fairy tale tells the story of two sisters – one selfish and greedy, the other kind and humble – and how they react for the King’s search for a wife (2008).
Armien's Fishing Trip (Catherine Stock) / SOUTH AFRICA
This story depicts the adventures of a Armien as as he stows away in his uncle’s fishing boat and becomes an unexpected hero (1990).
Sundiata: Lion King of Mali (David Wisniewski) / MALI
This books tells the story of thirteenth century King Sundiata who overcame obstacles to rule the West African trading empire of Mali (1992).
Sulwe (Lupita Nyong'o) / KENYA
This book discusses colorism and how it impacts the self-esteem a young girl, dark-skinned girl growing up in Kenya (2019).
Nana Akua Goes to School (Tricia Elam Walker) / GHANA
In this story, Ghanian-American protagonist Zura brings her Ghanian grandmother to meet her classmates at school (2020).
Idia of the Benin Kingdom (Ekiuwa Aire) / BENIN
This book takes place 1500s in ancient Africa in the Kingdom of Benin. In the story, protagonist Idia transforms herself from the young and curious daughter of a village warrior to the Queen of the Kingdom of Benin (2020).
The Talking Baobab Tree (Nelda LaTeef) / SENEGAL
The Talking Baobab Tree is a traditional Wolof tale from a village in the outskirts of Dakar, Senegal. Wolof proverbs are woven into the story in addition to Wolof words (2020).
The Arabic Quilt: An Immigrant Story (Aya Khalil) / EGYPT
In this story the protagonist Kanzi has from Egypt to America with her family and struggles to fit in at her new school (2020).
Mama Africa : How Miriam Makeba Spread Hope with Her Song (Kathryn Erskine) / SOUTH AFRICA
This story celebrates the life and accomplishments of Grammy-winning South African singer, Miriam Makeba, who rose to fame at the height of apartheid (2017).
Wangari Maathai: The Woman Who Planted Millions of Trees (Franck Prevot) / KENYA
This book tells the story of Wangari Maathai a Kenyan social, environmental, and political activist and the first African woman to win the Nobel Peace Prize (2017).
3rd Grade and Up
Agassu: Legend of the Leopard King (Rick Dupre) BENIN
This epic tale relates the story of Agassu, a king who is enslaved, brought to the Americas, attains his freedom and returns to his homeland to lead his people (1993).
Africa is Not a Country (Margy Burns Knight) / UNKNOWN
Depicting daily modern life of children across the continent, this book celebrates the diversity of African life as experienced by children Enter into the daily life of children at home, school, and play (2002).
Aida (Leontyne Price) / EGYPT
Written by opera singer Leontyne Price, this book takes place in ancient Egypt and retells this famous opera about the beautiful princess of Ethiopia, Aida (1990).
Shaka: King of the Zulus (Diane Stanely) / SOUTH AFRICA
This book is an biography that tells the story of Shaka Zulu, a Zulu king and conquerer (1984).
Idia of the Benin Kingdom (Ekiuwa Aire) / BENIN
This book takes place 1500s in ancient Africa in the Kingdom of Benin. In the story, protagonist Idia transforms herself from the young and curious daughter of a village warrior to the Queen of the Kingdom of Benin (2020).
The Arabic Quilt: An Immigrant Story (Aya Khalil) / EGYPT
In this story the protagonist Kanzi has from Egypt to America with her family and struggles to fit in at her new school (2020).
Hector: A Boy, a Protest, and the Photograph that Changed Apartheid (Adrienne Wright) / SOUTH AFRICA
This book takes place in 1976 South Africa when protagonist Hector Pieterson looses his life after getting caught up in what was supposed to be a peaceful protest. This graphic novel is can be used to discuss serious themes children such as global history and race relations with children (2019).
Tristan Strong Punches a Hole in the Sky (Kwame Mbalia) / WEST AFRICA
A Winner of a Coretta Scott King Author Honor. This epic fantasy imagines a world that celebrates African American folk heroes and West African gods.
Wangari Maathai: The Woman Who Planted Millions of Trees (Franck Prevot) / KENYA/
This book tells the story of Wangari Maathai a Kenyan social, environmental, and political activist and the first African woman to win the Nobel Peace Prize (2017).
We would be happy to assist you further in selecting books for your classroom. For more information, email the K-16 Outreach Program team at africa@bu.edu.