By Johanna McCalmont

Today we visit the continent of Africa to meet some amazing girls and women: past, present and in a parallel world!

African Queens – Incredible Stories of Africa’s Legendary Women Leaders

Are you into history? Looking for fascinating factoids about amazing women? Curious about historical highlights from a dozen different countries across the African continent? Then Onyinye Iwu’s latest book about African Queens through the centuries will be right up your street!

Over 12 brightly coloured, double spreads, Iwu introduces us to 12 queens, each unique in her own way. We start in 1504 BCE, where we meet Queen Hatshepsut, a Pharaoh queen who was born to rule. Then we travel down through the centuries as we read about Queen Amanirenas who defied the Romans in the Kingdom of Kush; Queen Arawelo who organised a women’s labour strike in Somalia; Sayyida Al-Hurra who ruled Tétouan for 30 years; Queen Nzinga the mother of Angola who negotiated peace with the Portuguese in the 17^th century; Queen Amina who grew the kingdom of Zazzou’s wealth; the band of Dahomey warrior women which grew so large by the 1800s that it became part of the main army fighting alongside the men; Mkabayi Kajama who always put the Zulus first; Mmanthatisi who was small but mighty and defended her people against European invaders; Queen Nyabinghi who gained a following that sought her guidance and admired her teachings; Yaa Asantewaa who defended the Asante’s gold from the British; and concluding with Mekailili Wa Menza who defended the Giriama culture from the British.

Each profile is divided into 4 sections with short easy-to-memorise titles, often written in the first person and a neat way to immerse readers directly in the history at hand. The faces in the illustrations are delightfully expressive, with many a disgruntled or puzzled man ceding to a wise or benevolent queen. With so much life and such variety in the illustrations, readers (of all ages) are bound to be drawn back to the book time and again.

Iwu wrote this book as a response to how she often felt disconnected from the history she was taught as a young African girl growing up in Italy and the UK where Africa only featured three times: ancient Egypt, slavery and colonisation. These stories about brave, creative, strong women who defended their people and often served as peacemakers are bound to inspire the young girls across the world that Iwu hopes will ‘believe in themselves and let their inner QUEEN shine.’

A Print for Ami

It’s a big day for Ami! She’s getting her first ever print, a full-length, tailor-made dress made from a fabric her Mum lets her pick out all by herself. They catch a taxi to Sisi Bisi’s shop where Ami chooses a vibrant pink fabric with a delicate flower print. It’s not long before the dress is ready and Ami finally gets to wear it.

This short picture book by Sierra Leonean Vickie Remoe (now based in Ghana) is part of a series of early readers. Each story, accompanied by colourful scenes illustrated by Alexey Koshelev, focuses on one particular short vowel sound. It’s not long before readers realise that A Print for Ami focuses on all the ‘i’ sounds, carefully listed at the back of the book. Remoe also uses Krio, the most spoken language in Sierra Leone, throughout the short dialogues and includes a one-page glossary, beautifully combining culture, language and education in a short story full of joy.

Soni and the Life Drinkers – Intasimi Warriors Book 3

We’re back at the Savannah Academy in Nairobi and the four friends are as close as ever.  The young warriors have learned a lot about their special powers since the first book (read my review here) and, one by one, they have also started to received their own Entasims that help fully release their powers. Soni, however, is still desperately waiting to get hers. Will it be linked to her legendary aunt Cierume somehow? Is her passion for dance be part of it?   And more importantly, who is this strange, terrifying character who sneaks up on her after dance practice to share a secret message?  

Once again, Kenyan author Shiko Nguru drew me in from the very first page as the kids dashed back and forth across Nairobi to solve puzzles, uncover family secrets and desperately try to find the Life Drinker who has been sucking the life out of their beloved teacher and mentor Mr Lemayian. Nguru breathes life into the bustling city, squeezing the young warriors into packed matatu, describing the stark differences through their eyes as they visit settlements which are a stark contrast to the more affluent part of the city they live in. Through Soni, the story also explores more difficult topics, like the hidden family history Soni’s parents have kept silent. Soni, however, finds herself caught up in the family secrets, and her Mum tells her about the choices previous generations made: between good and evil; to stick with family and community or break away for selfish personal gain and power; protect others or take what you can for yourself. So now it’s up to Soni – with the help of the rest of the Intasimi warriors – to come into her own and finally gain her full powers!

Inspired by Kenyan legends, this books will definitely be a hit with upper middle grade readers who love a good mystery dosed with magical powers that help friends work together all the better. I can’t wait for Book 4, out in October!

Read an interview with Shiko Nguru over at Lantana here.

About Johanna McCalmont

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