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Nana Akua Goes to School

Author Tricia Elam Walker
Illustrated by April Harrison
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Hardcover
$18.99 US
| $24.99 CAN
RH Childrens Books | Anne Schwartz Books
On sale Jun 16, 2020 | 40 Pages | 9780525581130
Age 4-8 years | Preschool - 3
Reading Level: Lexile AD830L | Fountas & Pinnell O
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Winner of the 2021 Ezra Jack Keats New Writer Award!
 
In this moving story that celebrates cultural diversity, a shy girl brings her West African grandmother--whose face bears traditional tribal markings--to meet her classmates. This is a perfect read for back to school!

It is Grandparents Day at Zura's elementary school, and the students are excited to introduce their grandparents and share what makes them special. Aleja's grandfather is a fisherman. Bisou's grandmother is a dentist. But Zura's Nana, who is her favorite person in the world, looks a little different from other grandmas. Nana Akua was raised in Ghana, and, following an old West African tradition, has tribal markings on her face. Worried that her classmates will be scared of Nana--or worse, make fun of her--Zura is hesitant to bring her to school. Nana Akua knows what to do, though. With a quilt of traditional African symbols and a bit of face paint, Nana Akua is able to explain what makes her special, and to make all of Zura's classmates feel special, too.
  • WINNER | 2021
    Ezra Jack Keats New Writer/Illustrator Award
  • SELECTION | 2021
    Bank Street College Best Children's Book of the Year
  • LONGLIST | 2021
    ALSC Notable Children's Books
  • HONOR | 2021
    Irma Simonton Black Award
  • NOMINEE | 2021
    Red Clover Award
  • NOMINEE | 2021
    Kentucky Bluegrass Award
  • NOMINEE | 2021
    Delaware Diamond Award
  • SELECTION | 2020
    Chicago Public Library Best Books
  • SELECTION | 2020
    Kansas State Reading Circle Award
Praise for Nana Akua Goes to School:

“This lovely story explores the perennial fear of being different, while showcasing the great love between a grandparent and grandchild.” —School Library Journal, starred review
 
“An open-hearted tribute to children with immigrant parents or grandparents.” —Kirkus Reviews, starred review

"This beautiful picture book offers a helpful perspective on cultural differences within a heartening family story." —Booklist, starred review

"Walker writes convincingly about how difference can cause unease among children, and her story offers a compelling portrait of a grandmother whose pride and poise put that concern to rest.” —Publishers Weekly, starred review

“Offers viewers both the comfort of the familiar and, for those unfamiliar with West African arts, a tantalizing introduction to interpreting symbols. Most importantly, this calls for readers and listeners to have faith in youngsters to embrace a new concept with an open mind and enthusiastic spirit.” —The Bulletin

“Lucky for readers and for Zura, her grandmother has a fascinating cultural tradition that, in her first book for kids, Tricia Elam Walker presents with extraordinary grace and nimbleness. . . . [An] eye-opening picture book.” —Shelf Awareness

“A picture book . . . that captures a complex vulnerability that every child feels at one point or another.” —The Wall Street Journal


Praise for April Harrison's What Is Given From the Heart: 

"[An] exquisite story of generosity. . . . Harrison has created soft yet dazzling illustrations for this tribute to faith, hope, and the African-American community." —The New York Times Book Review

"A sweet story . . . enhanced by delectable art from a prodigious new talent." —Kirkus Reviews, starred review

"This final book by the late McKissack (Let’s Clap, Jump, Sing & Shout) showcases the legendary author’s signature lyricism in full force and receives a stunning, aesthetically ambitious interpretation by Harrison, a fine artist making her picture book debut." —Publishers Weekly, starred review

"What Is Given from the Heart is a loving tribute to collective work, responsibility and the joy that comes from giving freely from the heart." —Shelf Awareness, starred review

"A treasure from a marvelous storyteller." —School Library Journal, starred review
Tricia Elam Walker is the author of the acclaimed picture book Nana Akua Goes to School, which received the 2021 Ezra Jack Keats New Writer Award and the Children's Africana Book Award, as well as four starred reviews. The Wall Street Journal hailed it as a “a picture book . . . that captures a complex vulnerability that every child feels at one point or another.” Tricia also wrote a novel for adults, Breathing Room, under the name Patricia Elam. She is a cultural and fashion commentator and blogger, and has written for National Public Radio, the Washington Post, Essence magazine, HuffPost, and more. She practiced law for sixteen years prior to teaching writing in Washington, DC, and Boston. Currently, Tricia is an assistant professor of creative writing at Howard University, and resides in Takoma Park, Maryland with her husband. Visit her at triciaelamwalker.com. View titles by Tricia Elam Walker
April Harrison is an award-winning children's book illustrator. She received the Coretta Scott King-John Steptoe New Talent Award for Patricia C. McKissack's final picture book, What Is Given from the Heart, which received four starred reviews and which the New York Times Book Review called an "exquisite story of generosity." She also received a Coretta Scott King Illustrator Honor for Me and the Boss. April illustrated Alicia D. William's Shirley Chisholm Dared, as well as Tricia Elam Walker's Nana Akua Goes to School, which also received four starred reviews. Her work appears in the public collections of Vanderbilt University, Virginia Commonwealth University Medical Center, the Atlanta Housing Authority, and the Erskine University Museum and in many private collections. April lives in South Carolina. Visit her at april-harrison.com. View titles by April Harrison

Classroom Activities for Nana Akua Goes to School

Classroom activities supplement discussion and traditional lessons with group projects and creative tasks. Can be used in pre-existing units and lessons, or as stand-alone.

(Please note: the guide displayed here is the most recently uploaded version; while unlikely, any page citation discrepancies between the guide and book is likely due to pagination differences between a book’s different formats.)

Read More

About

Winner of the 2021 Ezra Jack Keats New Writer Award!
 
In this moving story that celebrates cultural diversity, a shy girl brings her West African grandmother--whose face bears traditional tribal markings--to meet her classmates. This is a perfect read for back to school!

It is Grandparents Day at Zura's elementary school, and the students are excited to introduce their grandparents and share what makes them special. Aleja's grandfather is a fisherman. Bisou's grandmother is a dentist. But Zura's Nana, who is her favorite person in the world, looks a little different from other grandmas. Nana Akua was raised in Ghana, and, following an old West African tradition, has tribal markings on her face. Worried that her classmates will be scared of Nana--or worse, make fun of her--Zura is hesitant to bring her to school. Nana Akua knows what to do, though. With a quilt of traditional African symbols and a bit of face paint, Nana Akua is able to explain what makes her special, and to make all of Zura's classmates feel special, too.

Awards

  • WINNER | 2021
    Ezra Jack Keats New Writer/Illustrator Award
  • SELECTION | 2021
    Bank Street College Best Children's Book of the Year
  • LONGLIST | 2021
    ALSC Notable Children's Books
  • HONOR | 2021
    Irma Simonton Black Award
  • NOMINEE | 2021
    Red Clover Award
  • NOMINEE | 2021
    Kentucky Bluegrass Award
  • NOMINEE | 2021
    Delaware Diamond Award
  • SELECTION | 2020
    Chicago Public Library Best Books
  • SELECTION | 2020
    Kansas State Reading Circle Award

Reviews

Praise for Nana Akua Goes to School:

“This lovely story explores the perennial fear of being different, while showcasing the great love between a grandparent and grandchild.” —School Library Journal, starred review
 
“An open-hearted tribute to children with immigrant parents or grandparents.” —Kirkus Reviews, starred review

"This beautiful picture book offers a helpful perspective on cultural differences within a heartening family story." —Booklist, starred review

"Walker writes convincingly about how difference can cause unease among children, and her story offers a compelling portrait of a grandmother whose pride and poise put that concern to rest.” —Publishers Weekly, starred review

“Offers viewers both the comfort of the familiar and, for those unfamiliar with West African arts, a tantalizing introduction to interpreting symbols. Most importantly, this calls for readers and listeners to have faith in youngsters to embrace a new concept with an open mind and enthusiastic spirit.” —The Bulletin

“Lucky for readers and for Zura, her grandmother has a fascinating cultural tradition that, in her first book for kids, Tricia Elam Walker presents with extraordinary grace and nimbleness. . . . [An] eye-opening picture book.” —Shelf Awareness

“A picture book . . . that captures a complex vulnerability that every child feels at one point or another.” —The Wall Street Journal


Praise for April Harrison's What Is Given From the Heart: 

"[An] exquisite story of generosity. . . . Harrison has created soft yet dazzling illustrations for this tribute to faith, hope, and the African-American community." —The New York Times Book Review

"A sweet story . . . enhanced by delectable art from a prodigious new talent." —Kirkus Reviews, starred review

"This final book by the late McKissack (Let’s Clap, Jump, Sing & Shout) showcases the legendary author’s signature lyricism in full force and receives a stunning, aesthetically ambitious interpretation by Harrison, a fine artist making her picture book debut." —Publishers Weekly, starred review

"What Is Given from the Heart is a loving tribute to collective work, responsibility and the joy that comes from giving freely from the heart." —Shelf Awareness, starred review

"A treasure from a marvelous storyteller." —School Library Journal, starred review

Author

Tricia Elam Walker is the author of the acclaimed picture book Nana Akua Goes to School, which received the 2021 Ezra Jack Keats New Writer Award and the Children's Africana Book Award, as well as four starred reviews. The Wall Street Journal hailed it as a “a picture book . . . that captures a complex vulnerability that every child feels at one point or another.” Tricia also wrote a novel for adults, Breathing Room, under the name Patricia Elam. She is a cultural and fashion commentator and blogger, and has written for National Public Radio, the Washington Post, Essence magazine, HuffPost, and more. She practiced law for sixteen years prior to teaching writing in Washington, DC, and Boston. Currently, Tricia is an assistant professor of creative writing at Howard University, and resides in Takoma Park, Maryland with her husband. Visit her at triciaelamwalker.com. View titles by Tricia Elam Walker
April Harrison is an award-winning children's book illustrator. She received the Coretta Scott King-John Steptoe New Talent Award for Patricia C. McKissack's final picture book, What Is Given from the Heart, which received four starred reviews and which the New York Times Book Review called an "exquisite story of generosity." She also received a Coretta Scott King Illustrator Honor for Me and the Boss. April illustrated Alicia D. William's Shirley Chisholm Dared, as well as Tricia Elam Walker's Nana Akua Goes to School, which also received four starred reviews. Her work appears in the public collections of Vanderbilt University, Virginia Commonwealth University Medical Center, the Atlanta Housing Authority, and the Erskine University Museum and in many private collections. April lives in South Carolina. Visit her at april-harrison.com. View titles by April Harrison

Guides

Classroom Activities for Nana Akua Goes to School

Classroom activities supplement discussion and traditional lessons with group projects and creative tasks. Can be used in pre-existing units and lessons, or as stand-alone.

(Please note: the guide displayed here is the most recently uploaded version; while unlikely, any page citation discrepancies between the guide and book is likely due to pagination differences between a book’s different formats.)

Read More

Additional formats

Other Books by this Author

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