Nana Akua Goes to School

by Tricia Elam Walker, April Harrison (Illustrator)

In this moving story that celebrates cultural diversity, a shy girl brings her West African grandmother--whose face bears traditional tribal markings--to meet her classmates.

It is Grandparents Day at Zura's elementary school, and the students are excited to introduce their grandparents and share what makes them special. Aleja's grandfather is a fisherman. Bisou's grandmother is a dentist. But Zura's Nana, who is her favorite person in the world, looks a little different from other grandmas. Nana Akua was raised in Ghana, and, following an old West African tradition, has tribal markings on her face. Worried that her classmates will be scared of Nana--or worse, make fun of her--Zura is hesitant to bring her to school. Nana Akua knows what to do, though. With a quilt of traditional African symbols and a bit of face paint, Nana Akua is able to explain what makes her special, and to make all of Zura's classmates feel special, too.

Genres: Picture Books, Family, School, Childrens, Africa, Cultural, African American

34 pages, Hardcover

First published June 16, 2020

Reviews

[Abigail · Rating 4 out of 5]

Although Zura loves her Nana Akua, she is anxious about bringing her to Grandparents Day at her school in this heartwarming picture-book, worried that someone might comment upon her grandmother's facial markings, or say mean things. Nana Akua knows what to do however, bringing along Zura's special quilt, which contains many of the Adinkra symbols of their Ashanti heritage. Explaining to the children in Zura's class that her facial markings were a gift from her parents, and have a specific meaning, she invites them to choose a symbol themselves, from the quilt, and she paints it on their faces...

Having greatly enjoyed illustrator April Harrison's work in Patricia C. McKissack's What Is Given from the Heart , I was excited to learn that she had another picture-book out, and I picked up Nana Akua Goes to School with some anticipation. I was certainly not disappointed, from an aesthetic perspective, finding the mixed-media collage illustrations here lovely. The story from author Tricia Elam Walker was also appealing, and I particularly liked the fact that Nana Akua decided to share her cultural heritage by inviting others to partake of it, however briefly. In this day of acrimonious (and often vapid) discussions of things like "cultural appropriation," it's good to see a story emphasizing the idea of culture as something meant to be shared. I also liked the Adinkra symbols themselves, finding them quite fascinating. As someone interested in languages and writing systems, they struck me as a kind of proto-pictograph system, and I found myself wondering whether they might not have evolved into a more complex and complete writing system, if history had fallen out differently, and Ghanaians and other West Africans hadn't adopted the Latin alphabet. In any case, this was a charming picture-book, one with an engaging story about family and culture, and beautiful illustrations. Recommended to picture-book readers seeking stories about grandparents, cultural difference, and cultural sharing.

[Leslie · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book seems so simple, yet it is textured with grace and cultural beauty, teaching about the Côte d'Ivoirean Adinkra symbols that tell stories and teach lessons.

In advance of "Grandparents Day" at her school, Zura is apprehensive about how her classmates will respond to the traditional tribal marks on her Nana Akua's face. Past experience has shown that people can be rude and insensitive about cultural traditions that they don't understand. But Nana Akua - born and raised in Ghana - comes up with an idea both generous and ingenious.

Wondrously illustrated by April Harrison, one of the most tender moments in Nana Akua Goes to School is the visual conveyance of the following section:

"Zura looks at her nana, holding back tears that wait in the corners of her eyes. Nana Akua puts down her potato, takes Zura's hand, and says, "My precious girl, why such a sad face?"

It feels hard to explain, but Zura wants to try. She swallows and takes a deep breath. "What if someone at school laughs at you or acts mean?" she asks quietly."

[Deborah · Rating 4 out of 5]

All the children are excited to bring their grandpa, abuelo, mimi, nene, and nana to school for Grandparents Day. Zura’s favorite person is her grandmother from Ghana, Nana Akua, who is full of stories, dishes, and love. However, per the Ashanti tribal traditions, Nana Akua has Adinkra symbols carved in her face, which make her different and scary. Zura is fearful that her classmates will be fearful or mean. With the help of a quilt of many symbols made by her grandmother, perhaps their important qualities and significance can be shared and taught. The graphics artfully, skillfully, and lovingly portray the African heritage and the myriad of a modern classroom and its students. 4.5 stars.

[Ms. B · Rating 4 out of 5]

Beautiful story about the meaning behind the tribal marks on Zura's grandmother's face. Learn more about West African traditions or share for grandparents day. This one will also work as a picture book for older readers.

[MeganRuth - Alohamora Open a Book · Rating 4 out of 5]

What a lovely story that teaches about the Ashanti traditions of a tribe in Ghana. Parents would draw the marks on the faces of their children as marks, but the interpretation of the marks varied from people to people.

A lovely story and one where you are introduced to something new.

[Alex Baugh · Rating 5 out of 5]

When Zura's elementary school teacher reminds her students that Grandparents Day is coming up soon, all the kids in her class are excited except her. The other kids can't wait to show off what makes their grandparents special. Alejo thinks his abeulo is a great fisherman, Bisou thinks his mimi is "the best dentist in the world," but what makes Zura's Nana Akua so special? After all, Zura has seen kids and grownups stare at her grandmother because she looks different. Nana Akua, who was born in Ghana, has tribal symbols marked on her face that her parents had done when she was young according to old African tradition. Nana Akua's marks represent beauty and confidence. But what if Zura's classmates laugh or make fun of her grandmother, her favorite person in the world? But her wise grandmother has the perfect solution. On Grandparents Day, she and Zura arrive with the quilt Nana Akua had made for her and which is covered with Adinkra symbols. Nana Akua talks about the symbols and what they mean and why she has two symbols on her face. Then, she invites the class and the visiting grandparents to pick Adinkra symbols to have (temporarily) painted on their faces. You can find the symbols and their meanings on the endpapers. This is such a beautiful book about family, tradition, and cultural diversity. Nana Akua teaches Zura's class an important lesson in accepting differences in others, and provides her granddaughter with an example of how to handle the kind of situation she was afraid would happen with pride and a positive attitude. The mixed-media collage illustrations are perfect for this story, done in a palette of earth tones.

[Victoria · Rating 5 out of 5]

Text-to Teaching Connection:
The reading response art activity that I would do with the children in my classroom, in response to “Nana Akua goes to school,” is making a quilt. Children can use different materials to make a kindness quilt. The children can all draw pictures, or symbols with art supplies (crayons, markers, paint, rhinestones, etc.) on their fabric pieces. Their pictures should reflect what it means to be kind. Collectively, the entire classroom will make one large classroom quilt. After the classroom quilt is completed, children may volunteer to share what they have created, and what it means. Just like Nana Akua did when she came to class.

[Deb (Readerbuzz) Nance · Rating 5 out of 5]

It's Grandparents' Day at Zura's school. Zura loves her Nana Akua and she wants her to come to her school with her, but Zura is worried that Nana will be made fun of because of the marks on her face, marks made by her parents when she was a baby in Africa. Nana is clever and thinks of a wonderful idea to reframe her marks to the class and all goes beautifully.

Oh, I want some Ahdinkra symbols on my face. Who wouldn't love to have a beautiful symbol for "strength and wisdom" or "power and unity" for everyone to see? Lovely story.

[Stephanie A-M · Rating 5 out of 5]

A wonderful book about culture, family and sharing the beauty of our traditions with others.

[Amy Schredl]

“Nana Akua Goes to School” identifies and informs individuals about the African country of Ghana and specifically Ashanti traditions and Adinkra symbols. This story addresses the struggles Zura, the main character, is having with bringing her grandmother to Grandparents Day at her school because her grandmother has scars on her face. It is told to the reader that the marks where given to her from her parents for a positive reason. The story then continues to help the other characters and the reader learn the importance and value of the Adinkra symbols. Through the dialogue of the children and grandmother about the marks on her face, provide many great examples of how to help individuals build bridges and not walls. The children in the story react in a positive manner and see the positive qualities of the marks on her face. This provides the reader with a positive viewpoint on how to view the symbols being utilized throughout the remainder of the story and the meaning behind the other Ashanti symbols.

I found this book to be very interesting and especially in how it addressed the emotions and feelings of the main character. It shows readers that at times we value the traditions of various cultures but also worry about others’ reactions. The manner in which those emotions and feelings were handled positively is a great example to provide to others. I also think this book provided an example of the shift of power. At the beginning of the book, Zura was giving power to the individuals she met who reacted in a negative manner towards her grandmother’s marks. However, that sense of power switched at the end of the book to show the positive aspects of her grandmother’s background and heritage. This book provides positive qualities of a #OwnVoices piece of literature.

[Elizabeth · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 stars.

Nana Akua Goes to School is an absolutely lovely picture book with soft and evocative illustrations. Nana Akua introduces us to West African traditions by showing off her face markings at Grandparents' Day. It's a gentle story filled with heart and culture. The end pages also include a number of symbols, including their image, what they're called, how it's pronounced, and what they mean. Definitely recommended!

[Samantha R · Rating 5 out of 5]

The winner of the 2021 Ezra Jack Keats New Writer Award, "Nana Akua Goes to School" is a picture book about a young girl's grandmother who joins her in school for "Grandparent's Day." I was able to check this story out as an e-book through my local Chicago Public Library. The book is geared toward children of ages four through eight years old. It is also recommended for preschool through third-grade classrooms. This story is highly review by the School Library Journal.

When the main character, Zura, comes to a slight problem in the story, she confides in her Nana Akua for help. Emotions are fragile as Zura comes to her Nana Akua asking what she could share for the big day at school. Throughout the story, the reader discovers that other people point out the scars on Nana's face. How will Zura feel when she brings her Nana Akua to school? Will she feel embarrassed or will she be accepting of Nana Akua's presentation?

This story shares the traditions of African tribes, particularly those derived from Ghana. A magical quilt of Zuras' demonstrates tribal symbols that each carry individual meaning. All children of the classroom find a personal connection to the African symbols. Other grandparents share their cultural heritage as well, sparking the curiosities of all children.

[DaNae · Rating 3 out of 5]

A lovely exposure to culture and diversity.

[Peacegal · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 stars -- Gorgeous, colorful, and touching book about a girl, her grandmother, and the symbols of a homeland. On Grandparents' Day at school, a young girl's West African grandmother uses her traditional tribal facial markings to educate and inform, and finishes her presentation by giving everyone in the room their own temporary tattoos of traditional tribal symbols they find meaningful to their own lives.

Veg*n parents note: Two references to a grandfather who is a fisherman and illustrations of the biggest fish he's caught.

[Connie T. · Rating 5 out of 5]

A sensitive and insightful explanation of the face markings that used to be used by the people of Ghana. End papers give many examples of designs often used along with their name and symbolic meaning. I learned a lot from this simple, enjoyable book.

[Beth · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautiful story of a young girl worried that others will laugh at her culture and her grandmother’s ways. Ending is a pleasant surprise, and illustrations are gorgeous.

[Erin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lovely on multiple fronts.

First, the pressures of school. Grandparents' Day is coming, and this can open the door to all kinds of trouble. I did not get the impression that Zura is embarrassed by the tribal markings on Nana Akua's face, but rather she is worried that Nana Akua will be made fun of, or that her classmates will be afraid. It is a great moment to discuss making fun of someone's personal appearance, or how making assumptions about someone based on their physical appearance isn't wise.

Second, the beauty of cultural traditions. Nana Akua's face displays her Ghanaian heritage through tribal markings. She shares her tradition by painting an Adinkra symbol on everyone's cheek, using a quilt to showcase all the different symbols. The story piqued my interest, and I wished the author could have included even more information about the tradition in this picture book. But there is enough to enjoy the story and to search for more information.

I particularly appreciated the sankofa symbol. It's a bird looking backward that means "learn from the past to build the future." The author notes that these symbols can be interpreted differently by different groups, but the collection of symbols is a great reminder that many virtues are celebrated across cultures, and not only by one group of people.

The illustrations have a gentle and inclusive quality to them. The way the eyes are drawn really conveys a tenderness and concern that shine off the page.

[Karissa Knauer · Rating 5 out of 5]

In "Nana Akua Goes to School" a girl named Zura is bringing her grandma Nana Akua to Grandparents Day at school. While Nana Akua is her favorite person in the world, Zura is worried about what her classmates will think and say about the traditional tribal marks on her grandma's face. This book was my absolute favorite of all the books I read this week, because of the rich culture that it illustrated. This children's book pays homage to traditional Ashanti traditions and includes Adinkra symbols and their meanings throughout the book. While the symbol's meanings are preserved in modern-day Ghana, the grandparents and great-grandparents of children today are the last generation to go through the tribal marking tradition. I enjoyed the diversity of students illustrated in Zura's classroom and how they all wanted to get a traditional tribal mark painted on their face. The emphasis on inclusion, accepting differences, and openness to learning about other cultures are what make this book such an impactful #ownvoices book. The author Tricia Elam Walker was able to reflect her appreciation for Africa's many diverse cultures that she learned about in her African-centered school. Having a book like "Nana Akua Goes to School" will help students learn that accepting differences and embracing diversity are essential in creating a safe classroom environment where everyone's culture is celebrated.

[Kelly Hamann · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Best African American Picture Book for 2020 is a beautiful tribute to a West African grandmother. The story would be great for 1st-3rd grade. The protagonist little girl struggles with being proud of a grandmother that looks different due to marks given to her as a child in Ghana. Children will learn about a culture likely different than their own while easily being able to tie the story to their own potential feelings about worrying about being different for some reason or another. This story could lead to all kinds of lessons. Students could write a personal narrative about their own grandparents. Students could discuss that the ways we are different make us who we are, and that sharing differences with each other makes us all better. They could study the change in the protagonist with worries and fears but in the end, acceptance and love. It's a touching story with relatable illustrations that express emotions clearly. It would be a great addition to any classroom.

[Hannah Bustos · Rating 5 out of 5]

In "Nana Akua Goes to School" a young girl named Zura is having an upcoming Grandparents Day at her school. The other students are all excited to have their grandparents come to talk to the class, but for Zura the situation is nerve-racking. She is afraid that her classmates are going to make fun of the tribal marks on her Nana Akua's face. However, when her Nana comes in that day Zura's classmates find the tribal marks to be interesting and enjoy learning more about them. I thought that this was a very heartwarming story about being proud about your family and your culture. Walker does a good job of incorporating Ghanian culture into the story by not only illustrating the tribal markings, but also teaching reader's a bit about their meaning and significance. The book shows that the heritage of your family and ancestors is not something that you should be ashamed of, as it is part of what influences you as a person.

[Lauren · Rating 5 out of 5]

This Children's Africana Book Award winner of 2021 is an amazing tribute to the Ashanti traditions. Nana Akua Goes to School is a heartwarming story about Zura and her Nana Akua. Zura has Grandparents Day coming up at school. She is worried about how her class is going to react to her Nana because of the marks she has on her face given to her when she was a child based on her family's tradition. As the story progresses, we learn through her school and Zura the lessons of acceptance and appreciation for differences. As I read this book on Kindle (a digital version), I could still see the texture of the illustrations shine through to really add to the warmth and grace of this text. The illustrations beautifully represented the culture, even though a digital version. This book would be great at the elementary level. Students could learn from the lessons represented in this book, as well as discuss differences in cultures around the world. This could lead to a great discussion about their own grandparents or different traditions their families have as well as turn this into a project or a writing piece. Nana Akua Goes to School would also be a great text for SEL to learn about acceptance, lobe, and how to express our worries in a positive way. They could also talk about how our differences make us unique and make us who we are.

[Presley · Rating 5 out of 5]

"Nana Akua Goes to School" is a beautifully written children's book highlighting the importance of sharing cultures and understanding with one's peers. The development of Zura, the grandchild of the story, emphasizes the courage and pride that comes with gaining the understanding of embracing one's culture. I found it very moving and symbolic that Nana Akua created a shared experience for Zura and the other students by creating an experience that they could all share to appreciate her traditional Ghanaian culture through face painting symbols. This book emphasizes the struggle that children face when they are submerged in cultures that differ from their traditions when they are unsure of how it'll be reacted by, but paints a picture of the strength, unity, and beauty that it can create as well.

[Villain E · Rating 5 out of 5]

A little wordy, so recommended for older kids. Zura is nervous about bringing her grandmother to school for Grandparents Day because she has traditional African markings on her face. Zura loves her grandmother, but other kids have commented on the markings in the past, so she's not sure how to feel about it. But her grandmother does a good job of reassuring her and then of presenting her culture to the other students. I would recommend this book to parents as an example of how to introduce kids to other cultures.

[Alexsi Barashkoff · Rating 5 out of 5]

I thought that Nana Akua Goes to School was another great example of a #ownvoices book because it show cases cultural heritage and how many children idolize their grandparents, who happen to be immigrants. It also talks about how people may look different because of the rituals and customs they follow, as the book speaks about how Nana Akua has tribal markings on her face. It touches on how to be proud of your cultural despite what others think and I think that that is a very important lesson to teach young children.

[June · Rating 4 out of 5]

A young girl is worried that the differences of her grandmother might lead to bad treatment at her school's grandparent day. However, her grandmother is a smart woman and shows how her Ghanaian tattoos are meaningful and special.

[Grace Brennan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow! This story is a MUST READ. It is so important to include children on traditions and practices in other cultures so that they have a chance to experience how important they are to have. I love the patience Nana Akua has with Zura as she explains her worries about bringing her to school. Such a wonderful story.

[Siska · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lovely and heartwarming!

[Abby Johnson]

When Bring Your Grandparents day approaches at school, Zura starts to get nervous. She loves her grandparents, who grew up in Ghana; they're her favorite people, but Zura's afraid that the kids at school won't understand her Nana Akua's tribal face tattoos. She's afraid the other kids might be afraid or laugh at her grandma. Luckily, Nana Akua has a plan and with the help of Zura's quilt featuring many tribal symbols and some gold face paint, Nana Akua turns the day into one that no one will forget.

This is a nice story about learning about different cultures and accepting differences that make us all special. It's a very reassuring story and may introduce a lot of young readers to the idea of tribal markings. I love the vibrant, textures artwork, especially the patterned material used for many of the fabrics in the book. This would make a wonderful classroom readaloud to introduce empathy and acceptance.

[Rachel · Rating 5 out of 5]

Portrays a wonderful and unique tradition.

[Tori Easley · Rating 5 out of 5]

really good book to introduce culture in the classroom