BRIGHT LIGHTS & BOLD HEARTS

This debut nonfiction work for children collects biographical sketches of prominent Africans from many fields.

In picture books, movies, newspapers, and other media, many children grow up seeing only White images of success or beauty—even African kids—which seriously affects self-image and a sense of what’s possible. In his illustrated book, Nzelu addresses the need for better representation of African accomplishments by bringing together short biographies of standout men and women, each entry including a life story, portrait, and representative quotation. The bios are grouped into five sections: “Artists & Authors,” “Athletes,” “Entrepreneurs,” “Innovators & Scientists,” and “Leaders & Humanitarians.” Across all categories, the work offers a stellar lineup of individuals who can boast impressive accomplishments. Entrepreneur Mo Ibrahim, for example, founded the booming telecom company Celtel; humanitarian Wangari Maathai became the first African woman and the first environmental scientist to win the Nobel Peace Prize. A theme throughout is that success comes through hard work, discipline, perseverance, and education and also means giving back to the community in some way. Examples abound, such as the NBA’s Basketball Hall of Fame athlete Dikembe Mutombo, whose foundation built a hospital near his home of Kinshasa in Congo. Although the short format of these bios doesn’t allow a wealth of details, they’re engagingly written, accompanied by pithy, well-chosen quotes. The quote by Nigerian artist Njideka Akunyili Crosby, for example, gets at the book’s heart: “You don’t exist if you are not represented...I felt a need to create my own social existence by making the representation happen.” Beyond being an enjoyable read, the volume can serve as the starting point of a research project. The illustration team, Nimble Pencils, contributes vibrant, richly hued pictures that skillfully convey the subjects’ confidence and pride.

Compelling and inspiring true-life success stories that fill a yawning gap in representation.