Kwesi and Nana Ruby Learn to Swim
Written by Kobina Commeh
Illustrated by Bárbara Quintino
Published by Barefoot Books
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
Primary ISBN: 9798888593622
Publication Date: February 2025
Available As: Hardcover, Paperback
Picture Book, Age 06 or older
Community Represented: Ghanaian/Ghanaian American
Themes: Accolades & Awards, Accolades & Awards: Starred Review, Cultural Empowerment, Cultural Empowerment & Joy: Celebrations & Traditions, Cultural Empowerment & Joy: Family, Cultural Empowerment & Joy: Food, Cultural Empowerment & Joy: Storytelling, Discrimination: Racial, Family Relationship: Grandparents, Generation: 2nd, Multilingual: Fante Featured Words, Multilingual: Twi Featured Words, Outdoor Exploration, Own Voices/Lived Experience, Trauma & Healing, Trauma & Healing: Intergenerational
Setting: United States
Character's Place in the Immigration Journey: 2nd Generation, Immigrant
Book Creator(s) Connection to the Community Represented: Own Voices/Lived Experience
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Engagement Materials:
Book Trailer
Kwesi and Nana Ruby Learn to Swim Discussion Guide
Kwesi and Nana Ruby Learn to Swim Coloring Sheets
Source: Barefoot Books