Book Title:Rosina Sedibane Modiba: A Dream Denied
Author:Lorato Trok
Publisher: New Africa Books, South Africa
ISBN:789-1-4856-3055-5
Website: https://newafricabooks.com

Set in 1970s South Africa, at the height of apartheid, this is the inspiring and moving biography of South Africa's first black female athlete to compete in multi-racial races. When the political climate was volatile and it was illegal to compete against whites, Rosina not only competed, she set multiple records. Children will learn about gender bias in the local cultures of black South Africans and about racial discrimination through the lens of Rosina's athletics career. (Blacks like her parents had to carry a dompas to be allowed into the stadium were there was a separate entrance reserved for blacks). Rosina Sedibane Modiba forms part of the unearthing of stories of black people who contributed to humanity without much encouragement during the difficult time of Apartheid. As part of a series by Lorato Trok dedicated to unsung heroes, the book introduces children to the decolonising agenda gaining enormous momentum across the world. According to the author, "...reclaiming our own stories should be at the heart of the decolonisation project". Enriched with press cuttings, photographs, great chapter headings and text boxes to highlight principles and quotes, Rosina Sedibane Modiba presents a great African woman and role model for our children.

Book Title: Abrefi's Red Letter Day
Authors: Leticia Amankwah, Florence Newman, Victoria Adobea Mensah and Patience Obeng Manu
Illustrator: Michelle Aikins
Publisher: Adwinsa Publications, Ghana
ISBN: 978-996-463-155-3

This excellent story argues for the introduction of puberty education for boys and girls into the formal education agenda and into the responsibilities of parents at home. Miss Arifa is an exemplary schoolteacher, handling Abrefi's embarrassing experience with her first period with tact, knowledge and wisdom. Intergenerational support is put on display with Abrefi's grandmother serving her daughter as a font of womanly and cultural wisdom at her time of transition from childhood to womanhood. With terrific illustrations and other resources: pictorial diagrams, a list of useful tips, a quiz and a glossary.

Book Title:Chubot, the Cursed One and Other Stories
Author: Christopher Okemwa
Illustrator: Robert Kambo Maina
Publisher: Nsemia Inc. (Kenya)
ISBN: 978-1-926906-15-7
Website: www.nsemia.com

Set in modern Kenya, these exciting stories cut across a wide range of social concerns. A woman living in the Kibera slum introduces her children to a life of thievery with unforeseen consequences. In The Cowardly Girl, Nyamoita evades Female Genital Mutilation (FGM), an initiation rite prized in her culture. Post-election violence spotlights the hostility between the Kalenjin and Kikuyu tribes. Chubot, the Cursed One provokes philosophical debate when the cry for mercy of the murderer, the "Cursed One" puts the bereaved woman in what would be for many, an impossible position. Recommended for older children, a recurring theme in the volume is the role of women in society and the longing for equity. Stand- out features are the depiction of women triumphing where men fall short and heroines are catapulted by circumstances rather than by the intentional activity of a society seeking to engineer their success. With great ink drawings by Robert Kambo.

Book Title: Father Snail
Author: Xolisa Guzula
Illustrator: Turiya Magadlela
Publisher: New Africa Books, South Africa
ISBN: 978-1-86928-077-2
Website: https://newafricabooks.com

This delightful story for the very young underlines the high value of woman as home-maker. But Mama Sele is not at home today. Left to fend for themselves, Father Snail and his son, Rabbit, present a fun picture that challenges gender stereotypes.

Book Title:Rude Awakening
Authors: Chigozie Anuli Mbadugha
Publisher: CambaBooks Limited, Nigeria
ISBN: 978-978-57741-6-0
Website: www.cambabooks.com

Rude Awakening is a stand-alone novella/short story from the award winning short story collection, Beyond the Trial. Nkechi's life takes an unexpected turn when her husband, Afam, dies intestate in a road traffic accident. Greed motivates members of his birth family to scramble for his property and alienate his marital family. Older children should be encouraged to read this book which addresses the burning issue of inheritance rights in traditional Igo culture (South East Nigeria). Older children should be encouraged to reference the 1999 Constitution of Nigeria which guarantees freedom from discrimination: section 42 (1) & (2). Older children can also discuss the novella in the light of the Supreme Court decision of 2014 [Mrs. Lois Chitru Ukeje and Enyinaya Lazarus Ukeje v Mrs. Gladys Ada Ukeje] which upholds the right of female children to inheritance in Igboland and invalidates Igbo customary laws denying female descendants the right to inherit.

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