Water Baby

LONGLISTED FOR THE INAUGURAL CLIMATE FICTION PRIZE

'Rare is the book that enlightens as much as it entertains. Beautifully imagined and full of characters to love' EMMA STONEX, author of The Lamplighters

'A compelling and powerful novel' CHERIE JONES, author of How the One-Armed Sister Sweeps Her House

'An adventurous and insightful read' ROSANNA AMAKA, author of The Book of Echoes

She's the Pearl of Makoko and the world is her oyster.

In Makoko, the floating slum off mainland Lagos, Nigeria, nineteen-year-old Baby yearns for an existence where she can escape the future her father has planned for her.

With opportunities scarce, Baby jumps at the chance to join a newly launched drone-mapping project, aimed at broadening the visibility of her community.

Then a video of her at work goes viral and Baby finds herself with options she could never have imagined - including the possibility of leaving her birthplace to represent Makoko on the world stage.

But will life beyond the lagoon be everything she's dreamed of? Or has everything she wants been in front of her all along?

'A moving story of loss, love, community, and dreams' CHIKA UNIGWE, author of The Middle Daughter

'A brilliant evocative read. In Okereke's hands, Makoko is a world full of heart and beauty' IRENOSEN OKOJIE, author of Nudibranch

'One of those rare books that takes you somewhere utterly unfamiliar and makes you feel instantly at home. A delight' SIMON TOYNE, author of Sanctus