BOOK DRIVE: Kwesi and Nana Ruby Learn to Swim

*This product will be directly donated to the Children's Book Bank at SMART Readers as part of our Road Trip Book Drive. We've marked down all books in this collection so you have even more reasons to give generously. You can also bring like-new books from home to our store to participate in the book drive. The Book Bank is most in-need of culturally diverse Pre-K and Early Elementary picture books. Read their wish list + guidelines here. 

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1-2 Books = 10% off a future purchase
3-4 Books = 15% off a future purchase
5+ Books = 20% off a future purchase

Kwesi doesn't know how to swim... and discovers his grandmother doesn't either! Can they conquer their fear of water together with the help of the West African legend Mami Wata?

"How about we make a deal?" Nana rubbed Kwesi's head. "I will learn to swim, if you do."
"Deal!"

Kwesi likes spending time at the lake with his friends, except there's one tiny problem... he can't swim. But guess what? Neither can Nana Ruby! When she comes over for dinner one night, she tells Kwesi about when she moved from Ghana to the US and the history of segregation that kept her out of pools and caused a fear of water among many Black people.

"So I will never learn how to swim?" Kwesi asks. But Nana Ruby tells him they will call on the strength of Mami Wata, the sea creature of West African legend, to conquer their fears together. This touching intergenerational story teaches the importance of naming, acknowledging and facing fears. End notes include more information on West African cultures, including the Akan people, day names, and adinkra symbols. Teaches kids about the history of segregation of public pools and beaches in an accessible way