By Ayo Oyeku

When children start to interact with the world, everything looks simple, beautiful, and comforting. As they grow older, they understand our world is a magical globe of possibilities, when rubbed the right way. This makes them curious and thrilled at the same time. Most importantly, they are happy to be part of a planet that offers life, dreams and magic.

But today, our children live in a planet that is sometimes too hot or too cold. Sometimes the air doesn’t smell right, and sometimes their favourite fruits refuse to ripen in due season. This can make any child unhappy.

It’s encouraging to know that as the world continues to celebrate Earth Day (April 22) and World Environment Day (June 5) with global organizations and world leaders coming together to take action on the climate and the environment, African authors are also using their stories to educate children and lead campaigns on how to make our world a better and safer place. The authors below have used their creative imagination to weave timeless stories that help children connect better with our world.

These stories are not just about eco-literacy, they are a gentle nudge for African children and others across the world to not just become eco-champions but to see the world as a gift that will keep giving if we show gratitude by the way we live in it.

Every Leaf a Hallelujah

Seven-year-old Mangoshi is small, but within her smallness lies her power. She does not know this until she is tasked with saving her dying mother. Mangoshi sets out on a lone quest into the forest in search of a rare and special flower. In this compelling children’s book, readers are not drawn to our ‘everyday forests’ but to a World of Trees; haunting, charming and filled with suspense. Ben Okri, a renowned storyteller and Booker Prize winner makes an urgent call to humanity for trees to be preserved. He writes in the opening letter of this book, “If trees could write, they would tell you the story themselves. We can only hear the stories when we befriend them.”

Diana Ejaita, the Nigerian Italian artist, agrees with the author, and ensures each illustrated tree speaks to the reader. Almost every page is layered with creative illustrations rooted in African culture and history. The strokes truly bring the poetic narrative to life. Through the courageous strides of Mangoshi in this moving story, we feel the passion of Greta Thunberg. But if we also listen gently, we will see this is yet another call for us all to save the planet by saving the trees. This book is a must-read for every child.

Zandi’s Song

“A small sandstorm built up around Zandi.
She felt her legs tingling.
Glittery scales started forming,
from her toes right up to her belly button,
With a shimmering top to match.”

Zandi belongs to the ocean and she knows it. When the ocean whispers to her, she heeds the call. From the moment she dips her tiny feet into the clear blue water, all the magic of the ocean embraces her. Zandi transforms into a mermaid and sets out on a journey underwater that reveals a timely truth about the human relationship with the ocean and all forms of water.

From its captivating cover sprinkled with different shades of blue, you’re drawn in by Katlego’s enchanting brushstrokes. The illustrations in this beautiful book jump out at you, offering you a reason to grab your swimming trunks. The ocean, illustrated as a watery godmother, is as believable as any child could imagine, tempting enough to lure any child to the ocean. Interestingly, this picture book was inspired by the author’s own experiences. At 28, she took a snorkelling trip that changed her life, which later spurred her into becoming the first black South African female diving instructor. But Zandile’s life mission is to make the ocean free of pollution, and this is why you should read Zandi’s Song to every child.

Ming Visits Kigali

Ngabo and Ming had been friends since childhood but never met in person. Now at 10, Ming’s father takes him on a trip all the way from Beijing to Kigali, the capital of Rwanda. The two boys are finally thrilled to meet. This beautiful story offers a charming experience between two nations and two cultures, and more importantly Ming discovers Kigali is an eco-friendly city in Africa, which offers him the opportunity to learn about climate change and also become an eco-champion.

Ming Visits Kigali is a story available on the Kunda Kids App. This educational app, grouped into categories, gives children across the world, an opportunity to read hundreds of stories for free. For example, the Climate Change section has over 10 stories on the theme. This learning app for kids, like NABU, Book Dash and many others, brings stories to the hearts of African children, and some of those stories teach them to be eco-warriors.

About Ayo Oyeku

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