Walters, Eric; Campbell, Eva (illus.) The Matatu. Orca Book Publishers.

A young Kenyan boy takes a ride on the matatu bus with his grandfather for his fifth birthday. Along the way his grandfather tells the story of why dogs chase the bus, goats run from it, and sheep pay no attention to it. (Orca Book Publishers)

Eric Walters  is the bestselling author of over seventy books. The Matatu was inspired by a story told to him by Ruth Kyatha while he was on one of his yearly trips to Kenya. He  lives in Mississauga,Ontario.

Eva Campbell  was born in Ghana and spent her childhood in Barbados and Jamaica.  In addition to painting she teaches art at Lester B. Pearson College in Victoria BC. Her interest is in painting the human form, particularly in relation to identity and subjectivity. 

Nelson, Marilyn; Kuru Art Project (illus.) Ostrich and Lark. Boyds Mills Press.

Ostrich and Lark spend their days on the grasslands of southern Africa surrounded by a chorus of birdsong. From his perch in a tree Lark joins the chorus, while below Ostrich is silent. Then comes the joyful day when Ostrich finds his voice. This picture book about an unlikely friendship is the result of collaboration between the award-winning poet Marilyn Nelson and the San artists of Botswana. (Boyds Mill Press)

Marilyn Nelson  was born in Cleveland, Ohio. Her many poetry books include Fortune's Bones: The Manumission Requiem (2004) a Coretta Scott King Honor Book, and Carver: A Life in Poems (2001) a Coretta Scott King Honor Book, and a Newbery Honor Book, A Wreath for Emmett Till. Ms. Nelson was named Poet Laureate of Connecticut in June, 2001.

Kuru Art Project in Botswana formed in 1990 as part of a family of organizations dedicated to empowering the San with cultural revival and modern survival techniques. The artists create contemporary art using different techniques: linocuts, lithographs, oil on canvas, and more.

Roth, Susan and Karen Leggett Abouraya ; Roth, Susan (illus.) Hands Around the Library : Protecting Egypt's Treasured Books. Dial Books for Young Children.

Text and illustrations in Hands Around the Library: Protecting Egypt's Treasured Books describe how Egypt's students, librarians, and demonstrators gathered around the Library of Alexandria in January of 2011 amidst turmoil to protect the building which stood as a representation of freedom. In that moment, the people of Egypt revealed how the love of books and libraries can unite a country, even one in turmoil. (Dial Press)

Susan Roth was born in New York City and grew up in Madison, Wisconsin. She is the author and illustrator of more than forty books for children. She lives in New York City.

Karen Leggett Abouraya  is a radio and print journalist who has reviewed children's books for the New York Times and served as president of the Children's Book Guild in Washington, DC. This is her first book for children. She lives near Washington DC

K'naan with Sol Guy; Rudy Gutierrez (illus.) When I Get Older : The Story Behind Wavin' Flag. : Tundra Books.

“Wavin’Flag” has become a universal anthem. Its powerful words of hope have crossed generations and borders and have made K’naan an international star. It became the anthem of the 2010 FIFA World Cup and there are now twenty-two versions of the song, which hit number one in nineteen countries. (Tundra Books)

K'naan , a Somali-Canadian poet, rapper, singer, and songwriter grew up in Mogadishu where his grandfather was a renowned poet who passed on his love of words to his grandson.  When the Somali Civil War began in 1991, his mother made the difficult decision to move her family to North America so that they could grow up in safety.   K’naan lives in New York.

Sol Guy  is a manager, producer, consultant, and director of an independent music label, he has worked with notable artists such as Lauryn Hill, P Diddy, India Arie, The Roots, Outkast, Dead Prez, B.I.G. and The Wu-Tang Clan. 

Rudy Gutierrez  has won many awards including a Gold Medal from the New York Society of Illustrators and the Pura Belpre Honor awards, given by the American Library Association. He lives in Bogota, New Jersey. 

Kamkwamba, William and Mealer, Bryan; Zunon, Elizabeth (illus.) The Boy Who Harnessed the Wind. Dial Books for Young Children.

William Kamkwamba  was born in 1987 in Dowa, Malawi. With co-author Bryan Mealer he published his autobiography, The Boy Who Harnessed the Wind: Creating Currents of Electricity and Hope. In the fall of 2010 William entered Dartmouth College in Hanover, NH.

Bryan Mealer (co-author) is a former Associated Press staff correspondent and the author of several adult books. 

Elizabeth Zunon was born in Albany, NY and grew up in French-speaking Ivory Coast (Côte d'Ivoire), West Africa.  She lives in Albany, NY, where she explores a multicultural world through painting, beading, sewing, and collage.

 

How can I adopt a CABA book?

Individuals, organizations and corporations can "adopt"CABA books.


• Email the title of the CABA book that you want to"adopt" to : CABA@AfricaAccessReview.org

• Receive your official 'CABA Adoption' certificate.

• Promote your CABA book in your community.

• Purchase and give copies of the book to youth and under-resourced schools

Why should I adopt a CABA book?

To support literacy and expand young people's perspectives on Africa!