Kwesi is afraid of the water. When Nana Ruby confides that she is also afraid of swimming, they turn to the West African legend of Mami Wata to face their fear. Kwesi doesn't know how to swim . . . and discovers his grandmother doesn't, either! Nana Ruby tells Kwesi about the history of segregation that kept her out of pools, but also about the strength of Mami Wata, the sea creature of West African legend. Newly inspired, Kwesi and Nana Ruby make a deal to conquer their fear of the water. Endmatter includes cultural notes from West Africa. AGES: 6 to 8 AUTHOR: Kobina Commeh moved from Ghana to the United States as a teenager. He is an avid reader who loved to scribble sequels to books he enjoyed when he was six years old. He was inspired to write stories for children while raising his two daughters. He still scribbles in his spare time. He works as a foot doctor and lives with his family in California, USA. Barbara Quintino is a Brazilian illustrator and percussionist. She studied history, then architecture and urbanism, before realizing that what she really loves are the stories, the settings, and the connections to her ancestry. She has illustrated magazines, books for children and young adults, educational books, animations, and digital platforms around the world. SELLING POINTS: . INTERGENERATIONAL RELATIONSHIP: Learning both family and cultural history helps Kwesi conquer his fears. . SOCIAL-EMOTIONAL LEARNING: Naming, acknowledging, and facing a specific fear offers a positive example of managing emotions. . BLACK HISTORY AND CONTEMPORARY CULTURE: Acknowledges a painful history of racism but demonstrates cultural strengths and triumph over past trauma. . AFRICAN DIASPORA: Incorporates West African and African American mythology in a natural way. . EDUCATIONAL ENDNOTES: More information on West African cultures, including the Akan people, day names, and adinkra symbols.
