Nana Akua Goes to School, written by Tricia Elam Walker and illustrated by April Harrison. Schwartz & Wade, Penguin Random House. 2020. $23.95 ages 4 and up

"Finally, it's Nana Akua's turn.
She sits in the special
grandparent chair, with Zura
next to her. Zura clutches her
quilt tightly, and her voice shakes when she gives her introduction.

"This is my Nana Akua, and she is from Ghana, a country in West Africa."


Zura loves her Nana Akua to the depth of her being. She basks in the warmth of her grandmother's attention and in the hugs that feel like a sweater wrapped around her. When her teacher announces a Grandparents Day celebration at school, Zura's heart fills with worry for her beloved grandparent. She has heard and seen how others react when they see her.

"This is because Nana Akua looks different. When she was young, her parents followed an old African tradition. They put marks on her face to show which tribal family she belongs to, and to represent beauty and confidence. Those marks never wash off and go away."

Zura need not be worried about her beloved grandmother. Nana Akua has an idea. She suggests that Zura take her favorite quilt to the classroom. It is a special gift from Nana Akua, who quilted it with patterns that show the Adinkra symbols of the Akan people of Ghana.

"The symbols represent more than fifty important qualities, like wisdom and creativity."

The children in Mr. Dawson's class are happy to introduce their grandparents and tell what makes them special.  Finally, it's Zura's turn to introduce her Nana Akua. Showing the quilt offers an opening for Nana Akua to help those in attendance understand the beauty found in the marks that adorn her face. Nana is quick to broach the subject and to explain that she is very proud of the gift given by her parents. The rest of the time is spent with Nana Akua painting the Adinkra symbols chosen by the children on their faces, before following up by doing the same for their grandparents.

This story is beautifully told, and accompanied by colorful, detailed mixed-media collages that serve as an invitation for close observation and appreciation. End papers add interest by sharing many of the symbols, their names, the pronunciation and meaning of each.