Safari ya Angani by Visa na Vituko Series
This classic Kiswahili folklore tale of how the tortoise got it's cracked shell is written in beautiful Kiswahili prose and has eye-catching illustrations to accompany the text. All Kobe ever wished for was to fly with the crows into the sky and eat the clouds. One day, the crows carry him up into the sky, as the tortoise sings, "Tunaenda kula mawingu!" (We are going to eat the clouds!)But the crows lose their grip, and the tortoise falls down to Earth, landing on his back and cracking his beautiful shell.(Recommended for ages 3-8)
Sulwe
Academy Award-winning actress Lupita Nyong'o's debut book is a powerful, picture book about colorism, self-esteem, and learning that true beauty comes from within. Sulwe, (Star in Dholuo)is darker than her friends and family. All Sulwe wants is to be beautiful and light skinned like her loved ones. Then a magical journey in the night sky opens her eyes and changes everything. A heartwarming story to inspire children to see their own unique beauty.(Recommended for ages 4 and up)
ChirChir is Singing by K. Cunnane
Chirchir is frustrated that everyone in her family thinks she's too young/little to help out with anything at home. Mother is upset she broke her favorite pot trying to prove she can fetch water from the river.Then one day, Chirchir, and her whole family, discover that there is one thing she can do that brings peace and comfort to her baby brother. It's also the gift that soothes them all while they work.
(Recommended for ages 4 - 9).
Shambani Kwa Babu (At Grandpa's Farm)by Hassan Makombo
Mumo visits his grandparents in the village. A restless young boy, he's finding it hard to stay put and listen to grandpa's advice. One day, While helping his grandfather in the garden, he gets curious and shoots at a bird's nest with his slingshot, and disturbs a nest of bees.Mumo and grandfather now have to work together to contain the bees before they cause harm to anyone. That day, Mumo learns an important lesson.
(Recommended for ages 5-10)
Hope Springs by Eric Walters
Based on a true story of children in a Kenyan orphanage, Hope springs is a social justice commentary picture book written in Kid friendly language.Villagers are upset that they have to share the community well with the orphanage. Through ingenuity and teamwork, the orphanage builds its own well, and harmony is restored in the village. Boniface, one of the oldest children, learns from their houseparents that when people are afraid there will not be enough for their own children, they can be mean to others.
After the well at the orphanage is finished, Boniface tells his houseparent, Henry, that "we are not desperate, so perhaps we can be kind."
(Recommended for ages 10 and up).
Silence is Shame by Philo Ikonya
It's an uneventful day for teen Saidia. She's traveling by matatu when the driver starts driving carelessly. All the other passengers look uncomfortable but no one says anything. Saidia is in a predicament.The news has been very grim of late. So many road accidents are happening. So what's she going to do? Risk getting killed by the driver or humiliated by the matatu conductor if she speaks up. We can all relate. We've been here before. A commentary on social expectations and bravery written from the perspective of a Kenyan teen.
(Recommended for ages 12 and up)
A Note for Alice by Mureithi Maina
Indeche is protective of his older sister Alice. He finds himself in an awkward situation when Davis, a teenage boy, gives him gifts and a letter to take to his sister. Out of curiosity, Indeche reads the note that Davis has written to Alice.He becomes paranoid about Davis' intentions towards his sister and develops a habit of telling lies both at home and to Davis as a way of "protecting" his sister. Will his web of lies be uncovered by Alice and Davis? A coming of age story teens will enjoy.
(Recommended for ages 13 and up)
A Taste of Bitterness by Merceline Kakoro
Imelda is confronted with very tough choices. She's on a partial scholarship at her dream school. Her mother works as a cleaner in the school to raise the other half of her school fees. So her dilemma is-on one hand, there are the classmates who expect her to join them in bullying other students in school and on the other, she doesn't want to spoil her relationship with the school because her mother works there as a cleaner to raise her fees. What will Imelda do? Join the "cool" girls for social acceptance or get bullied herself.Momentarily, her mother is accused of stealing and she is arrested. Investigations reveal that it is the mother of Imelda's best friend that actually committed the crime. Will Imelda keep their friendship? It'll be an emotional rollercoaster for your teen reading this but this book has valuable lessons.
(Recommended age 14 and up)
The River and the Source by Margaret Ogolla
An epic story spanning cultures, it tells the lives of three generations of women. It traces the story of Akoko in her rich traditional Luo setting, through to the children who live and die in the 20th century. It's full of anthropology gems and readers get to time travel through this beautifully written book.It's a story of resilient women through 4 generations. Young girls will appreciate this.
(Recommended age 14 and up)
Unbowed by Waangari Maathai
Ok, so this is not exactly a children's or teen's book but it's very important literature anyone would enjoy. The 2004 Nobel peace prize winner published this captivating autobiography in 2006.Hugely charismatic, humble, and possessed of preternatural luminosity of spirit, single mother of three, recounts her extraordinary life as a political activist, feminist, and environmentalist in Kenya.
(Recommended age 16 and up)
