Nana Akua Goes to School by Trisha Elam Walker & April Harrison | A Grandmother's Hug

(Cover Image taken from Good Reads)

Nana Akua Goes to School by Tricia Elam Walker

Winner of Ezra Jack Keats Award, 2021

What's it About?

Watching how her favorite person in the whole world is treated because of traditional West African markings on her face leaves Zura hesitant to share her with her class. Grandparent's Day at Zura's school has her worried about how Nana will be treated.  Using beauty and confidence along with Zura's quilt Nana has an idea that just might work.

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GoodReads: Nana Akua Goes to School

Reaction:

Nana Akua Goes to School is a heartwarming story about the relationship between grandparents and their grandchildren. Relatable to anyone lucky enough to have a grandparent with "hugs that wrap you up in a blanket" the story of Nana and Zura provides a great lesson about confidence and beauty.

Nana Akua's West African facial markings are misunderstood by many and Zura is determined to protect her favorite person in the entire world, even if it means not participating in Grandparent's Day. Traditions and love create the perfect solution. 

Tricia Elam Walker provides a cultural lesson in her story of love between a grandmother and a granddaughter. In Nana Akura Goes to School, Walker delivers a story about a little girl, Zura, and her grandmother, Nana, participating in a school event that most children can relate to wrapped in a lesson about West African culture that solicits acceptance and understanding.

The palpable connection Zura has for Nana evokes love and connection to Nana. There are moments where the reader can feel the love Zura has for her grandmother and the sadness for how her grandmother is treated. A grandmother's hug that is unmatched and the pride in her culture that has marked her grandmother forever emerges simply and with purpose. 

Ultimately it's a simple story that exposes readers to traditions of West African culture that are not understood by many. Introduced to cultural language and not shying away from the idea of sharing cultural traditions with people from different cultures,  this story promotes understanding and acceptance. Nana's clever use of traditions exemplifies confidence and beauty as her facial markings symbolize. 

It would be remiss to not mention the illustrations by April Hamilton. The imagery that solidifies the emotion felt by Zura throughout the story is remarkable. Hamilton somehow visually provides a feeling of warmth and love that mirrors the story written by Walker. 

For more on Tricia Elam Walker click here.