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“A grandfather and grandchild call upon the smells, tastes, and sounds of their culture to reconnect with a faraway home. Saturday walks with Papa are a tradition our young narrator cherishes. Both grandfather and grandchild have lived away from Cape Verde all their lives, but while Papa remains connected to the language, his grandchild struggles…Just as the child ultimately feels a connection with Cape Verde when Papa strums his cavaquinho, playing morna (traditional Cape Verdean music featuring themes of yearning for one’s homeland), readers, too, will be deeply moved by Foster Brown’s delicate words and Morris’ enchanting art; those curious about this unique West African culture will be gratified by the author’s note, in which Foster Brown shares memories of her own grandfather, who, like Papa, had issues with his vision. A worthy, emotionally charged reflection on home and heritage.”

—Kirkus Reviews

My Heart Speaks Kriolu

Written by Stefanie Foster Brown
Illustrated by Keisha Morris
Published by Denene Millner Books/Simon & Schuster

Papa always speaks of someday bringing his granddaughter back home to Cabo Verde. But the young girl has never set foot on their ancestral island’s faraway shores. And each time Papa urges her to speak Kriolu, the Portuguese creole native to the West African country, the girl’s tongue betrays her, and she stumbles over her own words. If she can’t even get the language right, can her grandfather’s home ever truly be hers, too?

But each Saturday afternoon when she helps guide her sight-impaired grandfather through their close-knit Massachusetts community, the girl swears she can smell, hear, feel Kriolu. And each Saturday she comes closer to discovering where home truly lies.

Primary ISBN: 9781665927833
Publication Date: November 2025
Available As: Hardcover, eBook
Picture Book, Age 04 or older

Community Represented:

Themes: , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Setting: United States (Massachusetts)

Character's Place in the Immigration Journey: 4th Generation

Book Creator(s) Connection to the Community Represented: Own Voices/Lived Experience

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