Books by Efua Traoré
Efua Traoré is a Nigerian-German author who grew up in a small town in Nigeria. Following a career in market research Efua discovered her love of writing and won the 2018 Commonwealth Short Story Prize for Africa with her story ‘True Happiness’. She wrote her debut novel, Children of the Quicksands, for her daughters to share her childhood adventures with them.
One Chance Dance
by Efua Traoré
When Jomi’s mother left for the big city years ago she promised to come back for him as soon as she had put together enough money. Now age 12, Jomi decides to go to Lagos to look for her, accompanied by a bushbaby whose forest habitat has just been bulldozed. Luckily, he makes friends with a resourceful crew of street children who love to watch Lagos Let’s Dance on television, just like his mother used to. They decide to audition for the dance competition so that Jomi’s mother will see him on TV and come running to the studio for their reunion. What could possibly go wrong? A lovely novel of hope, friendship and creativity.
Ages 8-12
The House of Shells
by Efua Traoré
An adventure novel which perfectly blends everyday contemporary life and the world of Yoruba mythology. Kuki has recently moved from Lagos to the Lekki peninsula, where a dominating bully prevents her from making friends at her new school. When Kuki meets Enilo at an enchanting abandoned mansion by the sea and they become close friends, she tries to ignore her growing sense of unease about an old curse. A lovely story about friendship, family, making the right decisions and standing up to bullying.
Ages 9-12
Interviews with Efua Traoré
Best West African Fantasy Books for Teenagers, recommended by Efua Traoré
Fantasy inspired by West Africa is taking the literary scene for teens and young adults by storm. These books have strong world-building and all the usual fantasy ingredients. At the same time, drawing on rich seams of mythology and magical traditions such as juju, they bring something fresh to the genre. Author Efua Traoré talks us through her pick of West African fantasy novels for teenagers.
Interviews where books by Efua Traoré were recommended
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1
Full of Life: Exploring Earth’s Biodiversity
by Isabel Thomas & Sara Gillingham (illustrator) -
2
How Was That Built? The Stories Behind Awesome Structures
Roma Agrawal, Katie Hickey (illustrator) -
3
An Illustrated Collection of Nordic Animal Tales
Pirkko-Liisa Surojegin, translated by Jill G. Timbers -
4
Shuna's Journey
by Hayao Miyazaki & translated by Alex Dudok de Wit -
5
Who's Hiding?
by Satoru Onishi -
6
A Is for Bee: An alphabet book in translation
by Ellen Heck
Best Children’s Books of 2022
Best Children’s Books of 2022
2022 has turned out to be a great year for picture books, but we made sure to include plenty of novels and nonfiction for older children as well.
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1
What’s Hiding Under There?
by Daniela Drescher -
2
Safiyyah's War
by Hiba Noor Khan -
3
Sky High! A Soaring History of Aviation
by Jacek Ambrożewski & translated by Zosia Krasodomska-Jones -
4
One Chance Dance
by Efua Traoré -
5
The Red Fruit
by Lee Gee Eun -
6
Girls
by Annet Schaap & translated by Laura Watkinson
Best Kids’ Books of 2023
Best Kids’ Books of 2023
2023 has been a particularly strong year for eye-catching and engaging children’s nonfiction, but as usual our list is dominated by novels for middle grade readers (8-12 year olds). We have also made sure to include plenty of excellent picture books for younger readers, as well as some graphic novels.
The Best Kids’ Books of 2023, recommended by Our Children's Editor
Every year Tuva Kahrs, our children’s editor, keeps an eye out for the best kids’ books as they’re published, picking out books that are good enough to meet her rigorous standards. Here are the books, a mixture of novels and nonfiction, that have made her 2023 list.
