Updates & Insights
Success stories, behind-the-scenes looks at content creation, and opinion pieces on African children's media.
174 posts (English) — page 14 of 15
Is writing and publishing in African languages a way to remain invisible?
The problem is that, unfortunately, those that write in African languages remain invisible, their works are hardly ever reviewed or translated. Publishing venues are limited and getting published is one of the most infuriating challenges of writing in African languages. There are hardly any publishing houses devoted to African languages. So writers in African languages are writing against great odds: no publishing houses, no state support, and with national and international forces aligned ag...
5 African Children’s Books To Fuel Your Child’s Mind
While it’s important for everyone to read literature from around the world, if you are of African descent, it’s a great idea to give your child an understanding of the various cultures in the continent early in their life. This is especially important if you don’t live in the continent currently. With that being said, here are five African children’s books that we recommend.
6 major problems of libraries in Cameroon
The problems that readers encounter when visiting libraries are legion and diverse: the lack of updating of the collection, the absence of online information on the collections, the absence of books on African realities, the lack of professional librarians, the bad faith of some readers and the commodification of reading services.
An African children’s book that explains the science of skin colour
Skin We Are In is a landmark South African book for children (and grown-ups) on the subject of skin colour. Published in 2018, it was co-authored by an artist and a scientist, both South African luminaries – the author Sindiwe Magona and the anthropologist and palaeobiologist Nina Jablonski. Here they talk about how – and why – the book came about.
62 great books by Black authors, recommended by TED speakers
Here’s a curated selection of 62 fiction and non-fiction titles to check out now.
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.