Fire and Ashes: A Boy and an African Proverb
Written by Ahmed Hassan
and Wes Erwin
Illustrated by Meryl Treatner
Published by Little Fig
Fire and Ashes, A Boy and an African Proverb is the debut story in a series of children’s picture books that brings the relevance of African proverbs to our modern world. Warfa, a Somalian refugee, struggles to adapt to his new elementary school. Haunted by distressing memories, he turns to his grandmother and her sage African proverb:
Ninna dab buu ka baqaa, ninna dambaas buu ka baqaa.
One man fears fire, another man fears ashes
Primary ISBN: 9781633330542
Publication Date: September 2022
Available As: Hardcover
Picture Book, Age 03 or older
Community Represented: Somali/Somali American
Themes: Cultural Empowerment & Joy: Storytelling, Immigrant: Economic, IYNB Recommends: ASCA School Counselors 2026, Own Voices/Lived Experience
Setting: United States, Somalia
Character's Place in the Immigration Journey: Refugee
Book Creator(s) Connection to the Community Represented: Own Voices/Lived Experience
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