Updates & Insights
Success stories, behind-the-scenes looks at content creation, and opinion pieces on African children's media.
169 posts (English) — page 14 of 15
Nigerian-Canadian mom writes inspirational children’s book about legendary Queen Idia of Benin Kingdom
Considered the first Queen Mother of Benin, Idia was the mother of Esigie, the Oba (king) of Benin between 1504 and 1550. A great warrior and wise queen, she is believed to have saved the entire kingdom of Benin in a time of war and turmoil. Thanks to Nigerian-Canadian author Ekiuwa Aire, children can now relive the highly revered Nigerian queen’s story from a real African perspective.
Raising awareness about the misrepresentation of people of color in children's literature—Vivian Yenika-Agbaw
Vivian Yenika-Agbaw is a professor of literature and literacy in the College of Education’s Department of Curriculum and Instruction at Penn State, a mentor to many Penn State students, and an advocate for marginalized peoples. She has spent her life studying and analyzing hierarchical systems of oppression and race relations. Through her writing and teaching, she encourages compassion, empathy, inclusivity and social change. My aim is to identify those who are marginalized and work to incl...
How producing children's books in local african languages accelerates the decolonizing process—Elinor Sisulu
Sisulu says the best marketing for a book is other people’s opinions, and thus the foundation’s website is a review hub and search engine for children’s books in South Africa’s 11 languages. On the site are a range of picture books, fables and tales, poetry, rhymes and riddles as well as educational books (fiction and nonfiction). Puku also stages a number of events such as the Puku Story Competition and the Story Festival.
Children's literature is the most important literature—Dianne Johnson Feelings
Dr. Dianne “Dinah” Johnson is a children’s book author and professor of children’s literature at the University of South Carolina (US)....
There is only one bookshop in the Gambia with a good collection of children's books: Dr. Anna Stelthove-Fend
Frau Dr. Anna Stelthove-Fend, who has tremendously contributed to facilitate access to quality children's books in The Gambia by...
Muna Kalati represented at the Sankofa Year of Africa Return and Trip Conference
From 02 to 11 August 2019, Christian Elongué, the founder of Muna Kalati, presented a paper on the (re)presentation and promotion of...
Ibrahim Njoya, first comic book author in Africa and Cameroon.
Johanes Yerima was one of the most important artists of the Bamun kingdom, both under Sultan Njoya (1892-1933) and his son Seydou (1933-1992). The very first African "comic book" dates from 1932, produced by Yohanes Yerima, whom a critic considers to be the "true first Cameroonian and African comic book author in history" . To better understand its contribution, we place you in the historical context in which it has evolved.
Muna Kalati was represented at the IBBY Africa Regional Meeting on Illustrations in Children’s Books
From the 29th August 2019 to 1st September 2019, Christian Elongué, founder of Muna Kalati, presented the work of the organisation during...
Muna Kalati was represented at the IBBY Africa Regional Meeting on Illustrations in Children’s Books
From the 29th August 2019 to 1st September 2019, Christian Elongué, founder of Muna Kalati, presented the work of the organisation during...
The representation of people of color in children’s picture books
But in thinking about the books that I read while growing up and the books that I’ve researched, I keep asking myself: where are all the African children’s literature writers? Why aren’t there more books being produced? Have we, as African writers, moved away from this pride and responsibility of rearing conscious, confident, and self-aware African children?
Victorine Mbong Shu: the mother behind the success of the Award-winning child author Stacey Fru.
Many parents want their kids to develop a lifelong culture of reading and writing. But from the desire to the reality, there are huge...
One of the first black children’s magazine started nearly 100 years ago
Every revolutionary magazine needs a striking cover, and in January 1920, appeared The Brownies Book , one of the first Black African...