Children's books by African authors
16 hand-picked books from the Bookbear catalogue tagged “African author”, with Indian authors first. Each one has an age range, a short description, a heads-up on any sensitive topics and a link to buy in India.
-
Dance Just Like So!
by Annemarie Anang
Ages 4–7
Kwesi choreographs special moves for Gran after she injures her knee. Celebrates dance and the loving grandparent-child bond.
-
My Rice is Best!
by Selina Brown
Ages 4–5
A bright and sweet book that explores differences between cultures as well as what unites us all.
-
Wild Magic: Legend of the Black Lion
by Abiola Bello
Ages 5–9
Twins Misha and Ziggy have secret superpowers — talking to animals and shapeshifting. Can they save a black lion?
-
Destiny Ink: Birthday Secret
by Adeola Sokunbi
Ages 5–9
Destiny is feeling left out at her cousin's birthday party. Can a talking teddy bear help her enjoy it?
-
Supa Nova
by Chanté Timothy
Ages 7–9
Young scientist Nova invents a plastic-eating organism to solve plastic waste — but Chomp causes chaos. Vibrant sci-fi graphic novel.
-
Solving Crimes is NOT My Superpower
by Nathanael Lessore
Ages 8–9
In a town full of people with powers, will Sara ever find hers? Solving the mystery of the stolen football trophy might help.
-
The Adventures of Rap Kid
by MC Grammar
Ages 8–9
Z never speaks at school in case he automatically rhymes — can he win the Royal Rap Rumble? Teaches you to write your own rap.
-
Wangari's Trees of Peace
by Jeanette Winter
Ages 5–8
The true story of Nobel Peace Prize winner Wangari Maathai of Kenya, who mobilised women to plant 30 million trees to restore Africa's forests. Beautiful and essential.
-
Anna Hibiscus
by Atinuke
Ages 6–9
Anna Hibiscus lives in a big white house in Nigeria with her large, warm extended family, in this joyful chapter book series full of everyday adventures.
-
Akata Witch
by Nnedi Okorafor
Ages 12–16
An American-born albino Nigerian girl discovers she has latent magical powers and must master them alongside a group of fellow misfits in this inventive fantasy.
Heads-up: Violence, Crime & murder, Scary / horror
-
The Boy Who Harnessed the Wind (Young Readers Edition)
by William Kamkwamba, Bryan Mealer
Ages 10–14
The true story of a Malawian teenager who built a windmill from scrap to save his family's farm during a famine, becoming a self-taught engineer.
-
Chike and the River
by Chinua Achebe
Ages 9–12
A boy leaves his village for the bustling city of Onitsha on the River Niger in this classic adventure novella from one of Africa's greatest writers.
-
Sulwe
by Lupita Nyong'o
Ages 4–8
Sulwe, whose skin is the color of midnight, longs to be lighter until a magical journey teaches her that true beauty shines from within. A tender story about colorism and self-love, by Oscar winner Lupita Nyong'o.
-
Amazing Grace
by Mary Hoffman
Ages 4–8
Grace loves acting out stories, and dreams of playing Peter Pan in the school play — until a classmate says she can't, because she's a girl and she's Black. A beloved British classic about believing you can be anything.
-
Look Up!
by Nathan Bryon
Ages 4–8
Rocket loves space and wants everyone — including her wheelchair-using Grandad — to look up from their screens and marvel at the night sky. A joyful STEM adventure starring a Black British family.
-
Journey to Jo'burg
by Beverley Naidoo
Ages 9–12
Under apartheid South Africa, Naledi and her little brother walk and hitch their way to Johannesburg to find their mother when their baby sister falls gravely ill.
Heads-up: Racism & discrimination
