Kwesi and Nana Ruby Learn to Swim

Kwesi is afraid of the water. When Nana Ruby confides that she is also afraid of swimming, they turn to the West African legend of Mami Wata to face their fear.

A 2026 Charlotte Huck Award Honor Book

A 2026 Children's Africana Book Awards Best Picture Book Winner

★ “A wonderful story to show how it is possible to overcome our fears of doing something new by accepting help from others” – School Library Journal, starred review

★ "The love between Kwesi and his grandmother is both powerful and empowering." – Booklist, starred review

Kwesi doesn't know how to swim. and discovers his grandmother doesn't either! Can they conquer their fear of water together with the help of the West African legend Mami Wata?

"How about we make a deal?" Nana rubbed Kwesi's head. "I will learn to swim, if you do."
"Deal!"

Kwesi likes spending time at the lake with his friends, except there's one tiny problem. he can't swim. But guess what? Neither can Nana Ruby! When she comes over for dinner one night, she tells Kwesi about when she moved from Ghana to the US and the history of segregation that kept her out of pools and caused a fear of water among many Black people.

"So I will never learn how to swim?" Kwesi asks. But Nana Ruby tells him they will call on the strength of Mami Wata, the sea creature of West African legend, to conquer their fears together. This touching intergenerational story teaches the importance of naming, acknowledging and facing fears.

• End notes include more information on West African cultures, including the Akan people, day names, and adinkra symbols.
• Teaches kids about the history of segregation of public pools and beaches in an accessible way

Contributor: Bárbara Quintino (Illustrated by)

Illustrator: Bárbara Quintino

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