Sharing the Joy of Reading with an African Child

Book Catalogue

A is for Ampe: An Alphabet Book from Ghana
Kathy Knowles; Photos by Bruce Hildebrand and Kathy Knowles
Publisher: Osu Children’s Library Fund, 2006 (second edition)
ISBN: 0-9780156-0-6; 32 pages, softcover $10
Ages 3-6
Review by CM
One Little Crab: A Counting Book from Ghana
Kathy Knowles; Photos by Bruce Hildebrand and Kathy Knowles
Publisher: Osu Children’s Library Fund, 2006 (second edition)
ISBN: 0-9780156-1-4; 24 pages, softcover $10
Ages 3-6
Review by CM
Open and Closed: A Book of Opposites from Ghana
Kathy Knowles
Publisher: Osu Children’s Library Fund, 2007
ISBN: 978-0-9783384-3-5; 32 pages, softcover $10
Ages 4-7
Review by CM
Where is the Star: A Book of Shapes from Ghana
Kathy Knowles
Publisher: Osu Children’s Library Fund, 2007
ISBN: 978-0-9783384-4-2; 24 pages, softcover $10
Ages 4-7
Review by CM

Celebrating colours with photos of everyday life in Africa

CM Magazine writes: “Each book merits repeated viewings in order to mine the rich store of “information” these books incidentally and visually impart about how the life of African children is alike and different from that of their Canadian counterparts.” Dave Jenkinson

My Blue Book
Kathy Knowles
Publisher: Osu Children’s Library Fund, 2007
ISBN: 978-0-9780156-5-7; 24 pages, softcover $10
Ages 4-7
“I like blue. The sky is blue. The soap is blue…Bye-bye blue.”
My Green Book
Kathy Knowles
Publisher: Osu Children’s Library Fund, 2007
ISBN: 978-0-9780156-6-4; 24 pages, softcover $10
Ages 4-7
I like green. The shorts are green. The ball is green…Bye-bye green.”
My Green Book story, by Linda Smittle, a Peace Corps volunteer (2012)
My Red Book
Kathy Knowles
Publisher: Osu Children’s Library Fund, 2007
ISBN: 978-0-9780156-4-0; 24 pages, softcover $10
Ages 4-7
I like red. The lorry is red. The school bag is red…Bye-bye red.”
My Yellow Book
Kathy Knowles
Publisher: Osu Children’s Library Fund, 2007
ISBN: 978-0-9780156-7-1; 24 pages, softcover $10
Ages 4-7
I like yellow. The window is yellow. The skirts are yellow…Bye-bye yellow.”
My Pink Book
Kathy Knowles
Publisher: Osu Children’s Library Fund, 2011
ISBN: 978-0-9809437-9-5, 24 pages, softcover $10
Ages 4-7
I like pink. The doll is pink. The cup is pink…Bye-bye pink.”
My Orange Book
Kathy Knowles
Publisher: Osu Children’s Library Fund, 2011
ISBN:978-0-9809437-8-8, 24 pages, softcover $10
Ages 4-7
I like orange. The comb is orange. The cap is pink…Bye-bye orange.”
My Violet Book
Kathy Knowles
Publisher: Osu Children’s Library Fund, 2011
ISBN: 978-0-9868383-0-9, 24 pages, softcover $10
Ages 4-7
I like violet. The shirt is violet. The cup is pink…Bye-bye violet.”
Otu Goes to Sea
Noreen Mian; Photos by Kathy Knowles
Publisher: Osu Children’s Library Fund, 2007
ISBN: 978-0-9783384-0-4; 48 pages, softcover $10
Ages 5-10  Review by CM
Otu goes fishing with his father and grandfather in a dugout canoe, just as generations have done before him.
Mumaizu and the Hippos
Kathy Knowles
Publisher: Osu Children’s Library Fund, 2011
ISBN: 978-0-9868383-1-6; 24 pages, soft cover $10
Ages 5-7
Mumaizu, a boy from the Upper West region of Ghana, joins his father on a visit to a hippo sanctuary where he spots his very first hippos.
All About Ama
Kathy Knowles
Publisher: Osu Children’s Library Fund, 2008
ISBN: 978-0-9809437-4-0; 20 pages, hardcover $10
Ages 2-5  Review by CM
Ama proudly points to all parts of her body, and simple descriptive text is written below each picture.
My Happy Book
Kathy Knowles
Publisher: Osu Children’s Library Fund, 2009
ISBN: 978-0-9809437-6-4; 24 pages, hardcover $13
Ages 2-6  Review by CM
Peace is a happy girl from Ghana. Photographs capture these happy moments with Peace’s family and friends.
Crocodile Bread
Kathy Knowles
Publisher: Osu Children’s Library Fund, 2009
ISBN: 978-0-978334-9-7; 24 pages, hardcover $13
Ages 5-10  Review by CM
Francesca’s grandmother has been making crocodile bread for years. The story describes making this special bread and how the crocodile is eventually enjoyed!
Kente for a King
Original Ghanaian story by Angela Christian and retold by Kathy Knowles; illustrations by Edmund Opare
Publisher: Osu Children’s Library Fund, 2009ISBN: 978-0-9809437-7-1; 32 pages, hardcover $13
Ages 7 – 10
Illustrator Edmund Opare’s exquisite watercolour drawings detail the journey of Opoku, a weaver from Bonwire, as travels many miles to create the most magnificent kente cloth for his beloved king.
Akosua’s Gift
Original Ghanaian story by Angela Christian and retold by Kathy Knowles; illustrations by Edmund Opare
Publisher: Osu Children’s Library Fund, 2011
ISBN: 978-0-9868383-3-0; 32 pages, hardcover $10
Ages 7 – 10 Review by CM
A “Notable Book” designation by the 2012 Children’s Africana Book Award jury.Akosua learned to make clay pots by watching her mother. One day, an announcement was made that her sister was to be married, and she decides that she will make a water pot to present as a gift on the wedding day.
The Many Faces of Zainabu
Kathy Knowles
Publisher: Osu Children’s Library Fund 2012
ISBN: 978-0-9868383-6-1; 24 pages, softcover $10
Ages 5 – 8  Review by CM
Each black and white photograph of seven-year-old Zainabu is accompanied with colourful words depicting her expression.
Just Call Me Brother
Deborah Cowley
Publisher: Osu Children’s Library Fund, 2011
ISBN: 978-0-9868383-2-3; 24 pages, hardcover $13
Ages 8-12
Brother Tarcisius was born in the Netherlands and travelled to Ghana where he opened the Orthopedic Training Centre [OTC] in Nsawam to assist the physically challenged. His story of faith and determination has brought help and hope to thousands during the OTC’s 50-year history.
Ghana@50
Kathy Knowles
Publisher: Osu Children’s Library Fund, 2006
ISBN: 978-0-9780156-8-8
All ages
A celebration, in colourful photos, of Ghana’s 50th anniversary on March 6th, 2007.

Stories from Tanzania including books in Swahili

Peter’s Wish
Kathy Knowles
Publisher: Osu Children’s Library Fund, 2008
ISBN: 978-0-9809437-1-9; 28 pages, softcover $10
Ages 7-11  Review by CM
Genda, Peter’s father, is a member of the anti-poaching team and does his best to protect Tanzanian wildlife. Peter wants to be like his father.
Taraja la Peter, the Swahili edition
ISBN: 978-0-9809437-3-3
Maria’s Wish
Kathy Knowles
Publisher: Osu Children’s Library Fund, 2008
ISBN: 978-0-9809437-0-2; 28 pages, softcover $10
Ages 7-11  Review by CM
Maria and her family are in charge of the village tree nursery. It is important now because deforestation that has damaged much of their country.
Taraja la Maria, the Swahili edition
ISBN: 978-0-9809437-2-6
A Kwa Amani, please note ~ Swahili edition only
Kathy Knowles
Publisher: Osu Children’s Library Fund, 2007
ISBN: 978-0-9780156-9-5, 28 pages, softcover $10
Ages 3-6
This photo-illustrated Swahili alphabet book highlights everyday life in rural Tanzania.

Books about Fati, a little girl from northern Ghana, and her adventures

Fati and the Honey Tree
Osu Library Fund; illustrated by Therson Boadu
Publisher: Sub-Saharan Publishers, Ghana, 2008 (second printing)
ISBN: 9988-550-37-5; 28 pages, softcover $10; Ages 5-10
Fati climbs a tree when she saw ripe mangoes hanging from its branches although her father strictly warned her to “not to climb any trees today.” This begins a well loved adventure which is thoroughly enjoyed by children across Ghana.
Fati and the Green Snake
Osu Library Fund; illustrated by Therson Boadu
Publisher: Sub-Saharan Publishers, Ghana, 2005
ISBN: 998
8-550-92-8; 24 pages, softcover $10; Ages 5-10
Another adventure where Fati encounters what she thinks is a beautiful leaf but it definitely isn’t!

Books for adult learners

Hanatu, a Seamstress, Learns to Read
Marty Helgerson; Photos by Bruce Hildebrand and Kathy Knowles
Publisher: Osu Children’s Library Fund, 2006
ISBN: 0-9780156-2-2, 32 pages, softcover $10
A story about Hanatu, a seamstress, who attended literacy classes where she learned to read and write. Her newly acquired skills allow her to open her own small dressmaking business. There is a photo glossary at the back highlighting items frequently used by a seamstress. The book is useful for ESL or EAL students.
Veronica, a Caterer, Learns to Read
Marty Helgerson; Photos by Kathy Knowles
Publisher: Osu Children’s Library Fund, 2007
ISBN: 978-0-9783384-2-8, 32 pages, softcover $10
A story about Veronica, a caterer, who attended literacy classes where she learned to read and write. Her newly acquired skills allows her to read recipes and to do her job more effectively. There is a photo glossary at the back highlighting items frequently used by a caterer along with a cake recipe. The book is useful for ESL or EAL students.
Ebenezer, a Welder, Learns to Read
Marty Helgerson; Photos by Kathy Knowles
Publisher: Osu Children’s Library Fund, 2007
ISBN: 978-0-9783384-1-1, 32 pages, softcover $10
A story about Ebenezer, a welder, who attended literacy classes where he learned to read and write. His newly acquired skills allows him to read building plans and equipment labels, and gives him the confidence to eventually open his own welding shop. There is a photo glossary at the back highlighting items frequently used as a welder. The book is useful for ESL or EAL students.

Book Order Form

Please download and complete the book order form. Send in a cheque including the postage to 188 Montrose St., Winnipeg, MB Canada R3M 3M7. I am sorry, but we are unable to handle credit card payments. Thank you.

If you have questions please contact Kathy Knowles at 204 488 6633 or ten.stmnull@selwonkk