African Perspectives

African Folktales for the Young at Heart: Hausa Tales of Wit, Wisdom, and Wonder, is a captivating collection of traditional stories from the Hausa-speaking regions of Northern Nigeria. These tales, passed down through generations of oral storytelling, are imbued with moral lessons, humor, and wisdom, capturing the essence of African cultural heritage. Written in English by Abubakar Yusuf Ibrahim, and richly illustrated, these stories, reveal the enchanting world of Hausa folklore, where animals speak, cunning tricksters outwit their foes, and valuable life lessons are shared. Ideal for both young readers and adults, this book of African folktales is a must-have for anyone interested in world literature, folklore, or African culture.

African Folktales for the Young at Heart

Translated from French, The Child from Dindefello Falls, is a coming-of-age narrative about young Sonlio, who, after a life-shattering tragedy, begins a transformative journey of healing and self-discovery. As Sonlio navigates a landscape shaped by climate change, poverty, and injustice, his journey becomes a reflection on the capacity of individuals and communities to overcome adversity. Steeped in Senegalese culture, Sonlio’s story unfolds as a poetic fable and evolves into a thought-provoking exploration of resilience, love, and spiritual awakening. Blending elements of documentary, philosophy, and storytelling, The Child from Dindefello Falls also introduces readers to innovative African-led initiatives for environmental regeneration, such as natural tree regeneration

The Child from Dindefello Falls

Maatla the Magnet is a delightful story about friendship, being yourself, and finding where you truly belong. Maatla, whose name means strength in Setswana, is a little magnet with a big heart. He feels left out because the other magnets always push him away. When he tries to make new friends, he attracts things like pins and coins, but it doesn’t feel quite right. Just when Maatla feels like giving up, he meets Thata, another magnet whose name means “Love.” Together, they discover that true friendship feels easy and fun. With Thata’s help, Maatla learns that being yourself is the best way to connect with others. This charming book, with its bright pictures and gentle message, is perfect for kids who are learning about friendship, kindness, and being confident in who they are.

Maatla The Magnet

Lesedi’s Little Light is a heartwarming tale that helps children and their caregivers navigate the dense topic of grief. The picture book shines a spotlight on the strength of community in times of sorrow and reminds us that even the smallest among us can bring light to the darkest moments. Lesedi, whose name means "Light" in Setswana, is the radiant center of her family’s world in Botswana. Raised by her devoted mother and grandmother, she grows strong and joyful, her brightness illuminating their lives. But tragedy strikes when Lesedi loses her mother. Through the gentle guidance of her grandmother and the enduring power of love, Lesedi discovers the meaning behind her name. With the uplifting refrain, "This little light of mine," Lesedi and her grandmother rebuild their lives and reclaim their shared joy, reminding us that even the tiniest spark can dispel the deepest darkness.

Lesedi's Little Light

Translated from French and Arabic, The New Eve is an exploration of love, identity, and resistance in a society where emotional connections are seen as a disease. In a future where human reproduction is controlled by technology and gender roles are policed by a totalitarian society, Adam and Maneki forge a forbidden connection that transcends their world’s rigid structures. As their journey unfolds, they uncover the hidden costs of their society’s technological advancements: gender segregation, the criminalization of love, and the suppression of individuality. Amidst the rigid enforcement of heterosexual norms, they encounter androgynes who defy binary categories, opening the door to a broader understanding of identity, desire, and self-expression. The New Eve tackles questions about gender fluidity, the ethics of technological progress, and the resilience of the human spirit. This English edition, translated by Paul Roochnik, a retired tenured professor at The Defense Language Institute, California, captures the philosophical depth and literary brilliance of Moussa Ould Ebnou’s original work, bringing this essential African speculative novel to a wider audience.

The New Eve

Filled with captivating illustrations, "The Soot" is a story about family, education, and caring for our environment. This book gives an excellent opportunity for parents and educators to engage children in discussions about environmental issues and encourages young readers to become responsible stewards of the planet.

The Soot

"The Emperor’s Son by Vamba Sherif follows Zaiwulo, a young prodigy who trains under sage Talata of the Haidarah family in Musadu. Entangled in the intrigues of Emperor Samori, the 'Black Napoleon,' Zaiwulo matures into a formidable soldier. His quest for truth leads him on a daring adventure, revealing his origins amidst political upheaval. This riveting historical saga explores loyalty, identity, leadership, and the quest for truth in a changing world."

The Emperor's Son

At 17, Kadsa is tired of traveling with her grandpa in search of their lost, mystical home world. She yearns for college, friends, and a stable home. Discovering lies about her identity through online research, she decides to break free from her grandpa and seek the truth. Just as she embraces her newfound autonomy, her grandfather is kidnapped. On a perilous mission to save him, Kadsa enters a realm of dark forces, ancient deities, and looming annihilation. She must confront pressing questions: What role does her grandfather play in this world's fate? Does she have the courage to be its savior? This tale is a transformative odyssey exploring resilience, the quest for truth, and the indomitable spirit of youth.

The Civilization

For grandmothers and those who love them, The Man with Yellow Hair follows the enduring friendship of two women as they blossom through the laughter and yearnings of youth, the love and cares of motherhood, the losses that come with time, to their present, where the ultimate test of their lives is linked to a lost love from ages past. The novel offers a unique perspective on love, romance, and friendship and delves into the experiences and emotions of mature women, providing readers with a rich and nuanced portrayal of relationships, loss, and the passage of time. This novel caters to a diverse audience seeking narratives that reflect the complexities and wisdom of life's later chapters

The Man With Yellow Hair

Waiting for Maria explores the harrowing experiences of female inmates caught in Nigeria's sluggish justice system. The book follows their stories as they compete for the single amnesty slot granted on Nigeria's National Day. The arrival of an executioner heightens the urgency, casting a shadow of mortality over the inmates. Despite adversity, human compassion emerges, offering a sliver of redemption. A finalist for the Commonwealth Writers Prize, this book delves into the feminine condition, systemic challenges, and themes of justice, resilience, and the relentless pursuit of hope.

Waiting for Maria

The Finish Line follows Mafoya, a determined girl who dreams of becoming her town's top sprinter. During an athletic competition, Mafoya crosses the finish line and finds herself in the magical Musanga Kingdom where she meets talking animals and embarks on adventures that test her character. Suitable for children aged 8-14, this book is an ideal pick for parents seeking enriching stories for kids, and for teachers looking to introduce themes of integrity, perseverance, responsibility, and fair play in the classroom and in sports.

The Finish Line

An eccentric UN worker in Mogadishu, entangled in her drug trafficking boyfriend's world, is kidnapped by corrupt officer Hinga and the troubled Ciru. Her old flame, Duncan, a white American pastor, leaves his expat bubble to navigate Nairobi's underground in a rescue attempt. Set against President Obama's impending visit to Kenya, "Truth is a Flightless Bird" explores colonialism, imperialism, and capitalism's violence. It's a brutal love letter to modern Nairobi, highlighting capitalism's failures, urban inequality, and the irrational human capacity for hope. Hussain's voice is distinct and remarkable.

Truth Is a Flightless Bird

Pastor Nicholas Adejuwon and his wife Nkechi run Rivers of Joy Church, a popular Lagos megachurch. Despite projecting a perfect image, scandalous secrets lurk beneath the surface. When Nkechi investigates her husband's rumored indiscretions, she uncovers a web of shocking secrets that threaten her reality. "Believers and Hustlers" exposes the underbelly of Nigeria’s Pentecostal fervor, revealing the motivations, rivalries, and fears of rich celebrity preachers. This bold novel explores power, hypocrisy, and how religion can be weaponized, ultimately telling a story of life, love, and the ironies of fate.

Believers and Hustlers

While studying the land of Barzakh in the Sahara, archaeologists unearth the bones of Gara, a young man whose Myelin reveals his ancient consciousness. Gara, a foreigner in his own land, journeys through three eras—from 11th-century Mauritania to a dystopian future—sowing the seeds of his own destruction. This innovative masterpiece blends mysticism, religion, and Mauritanian culture into a dystopian reflection on the human condition. A unique mix of science fiction and philosophy, it offers fresh voices and perspectives. Translated from French by Marybeth Timmermann, this marks the work's first official English publication.

Barzakh: The Land In-Between

From short stories about the dark and the light, and how we loved then and now, to poems en route the world gathering notes of those in search of beginnings and those at their ends, and essays exploring the lost and the found, grief, being— the works in this anthology are unexpected and defiant of conventions. In myriad genres and styles and with the mere power and beauty of their words, the writers in this collection hold a prism to humanity, opening minds to new ways of seeing, of knowing.

Best of Isele Anthology

In this collection of eighteen humorous absurdist stories, Melo weaves together postmodernism, postcolonial realities and Angolan history, through an intrusive narrator and author. Angola is Wherever I plant My field will make the readers laugh as they reflect on life and society through stories set in Luanda, Haifa, America, and North-Korea.

Angola Is Wherever I Plant My Field