10 Amazing Books About Special Days in Africa
From lively festivals to heartfelt traditions, Africa celebrates special days with colour, rhythm, and meaning.
Whether it’s a story about heritage, independence, or community, each celebration tells something powerful about the continent’s spirit. In this blog, 10 Amazing Books About Special Days in Africa, we’ll explore beautiful stories that help children and families discover how people across Africa honour their history, culture, and one another.
These books are full of joy, pride, and lessons that connect us all no matter where we live.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
A Kenyan Christmas
A Kenyan Christmas by Aunty Kiko, illustrated by Moses Wanjuki, follows Akinyi, a cheerful young girl excited to celebrate Christmas with her family in Kenya!
From decorating the house and singing carols to helping cook a big festive meal. Akinyi shows just how joyful and love filled the holiday season can be. With bright, colourful illustrations and heart warming scenes, this story captures the beauty of Christmas in the Kenyan sunshine.
Key fact: Through Akinyi’s eyes, readers discover Kenyan Christmas traditions and learn that the real magic of the season comes from family, community, and sharing joy together.
A Stork in a Baobab Tree: An African 12 Days of Christmas
A Stork in a Baobab Tree: An African 12 Days of Christmas by Catherine House, illustrated by Polly Alakija, is a lively African twist on the classic Christmas carol!
Set under the warm sun and filled with drumming, dancing, and laughter, each verse introduces a new African scene, from storks and hippos to dancers and storytellers. With rhythmic text and bright, detailed artwork, it’s a joyful celebration of community, culture, and festive fun.
Key fact: This book helps children see how Christmas is celebrated across Africa, blending familiar holiday cheer with rich cultural traditions and beautiful African imagery.
Sleep Well Siba and Saba
Sleep Well, Siba and Saba by Nansubuga Nagadya Isdahl, illustrated by Sandra van Doorn, is a dreamy Ugandan tale full of warmth, imagination, and sisterly love. Every night, the forgetful sisters Siba and Saba lose things but in their dreams, they discover wonderful new treasures waiting for them. With soft, colourful illustrations and lyrical storytelling, this bedtime story gently reminds children to dream big and look forward to tomorrow.
Key fact: Set in Uganda, the book introduces young readers to African culture while teaching that even when you lose something, you might gain something even more special in return. An Absolute beautiful story.
Sundiata: Lion King of Mali
Sundiata: Lion King of Mali by David Wisniewski is an epic African legend brought to life through striking cut paper illustrations and powerful storytelling.
It follows Sundiata, a prince who overcomes hardship, disability, and exile to unite his people and become the great founder of the Mali Empire. Filled with courage, prophecy, and destiny, this story reads like a heroic fairytale rooted in real African history.
Key fact: Based on a true West African epic, this award winning book introduces children to the origins of the Mali Empire and celebrates perseverance, leadership, and the power of believing in your purpose.
Afam and the New Yam Festival
Afam and the New Yam Festival by Ngozi Theodora Otiaba, illustrated by Francis Ude, is a lively celebration of one of Nigeria’s most colourful cultural traditions!
Follow curious young Afam as he gets ready for the big New Yam Festival full of dancing, drumming, delicious food, and community spirit. Through his eyes, readers experience the excitement, pride, and meaning behind this joyful harvest celebration.
Key fact: This book introduces children to Igbo culture and the importance of gratitude, tradition, and family through the vibrant story of one boy’s unforgettable festival day.
Nelson Mandela: Long Walk to Freedom
Nelson Mandela: Long Walk to Freedom by Chris Van Wyk and Nelson Mandela, illustrated by Paddy Bouma, is an inspiring retelling of Mandela’s incredible life story for young readers. From his childhood in a South African village to his brave fight for equality and his long years in prison, this beautifully illustrated book shows how hope and determination can change the world.
Key fact: Adapted from Mandela’s famous autobiography, this version helps children understand the true meaning of courage, forgiveness, and standing up for what’s right no matter how hard the journey.
Ethiopia Timkat
Ethiopia: Timkat by Joaquin Gonzalez Dorao is a vibrant journey into Ethiopia’s most joyful and colourful festival! Through detailed illustrations and engaging storytelling, readers experience the excitement of Timkat, the celebration of Epiphany complete with music, parades, splashing water, and bright traditional clothes. It’s a lively peek into one of Africa’s most spiritual and beautiful cultural events.
Key fact: This book introduces children to Ethiopian traditions and geography, helping them appreciate global cultures while learning how faith and community are celebrated around the world.
Something Is Coming
Something Is Coming by Jane Kurtz, beautifully captures the anticipation of Ethiopia’s New Year. The grass, rivers, and people all wait for the cooling rains that bring fresh beginnings. When the golden Meskel daisies bloom, they fill the land with brightness and hope marking a time of renewal and joy.
Key fact: The book celebrates the Ethiopian New Year with side by side text in English and Ethiopian languages like Amharic, Tigrinya, and Afaan Oromo, helping children build bilingual fluency while exploring Ethiopia’s nature, culture, and spirit of new beginnings.
Africa Day
Africa Day by Chi Mary Kalu, illustrated by Jelena Jordanovic-Lewis, is a vibrant, joyful celebration of unity, pride, and culture across the African continent!
Follow children from different countries as they dance, sing, and share their favourite traditions to honour Africa Day, a time to celebrate freedom, diversity, and togetherness. With colourful illustrations and lively storytelling, this book bursts with rhythm, love, and African joy.
Key fact: This book introduces young readers to the meaning of Africa Day teaching about unity, cultural pride, and the beauty of celebrating one continent with many voices.
African and Caribbean Celebrations
We thought we will save one of the best till last (in our opinion). African and Caribbean Celebrations by Gail Johnson, illustrated by Caroline Glanville, is a colourful journey through the festivals, music, and traditions that bring communities together across Africa and the Caribbean! From lively carnivals and harvest feasts to independence days and spiritual holidays, each page bursts with rhythm, culture, and joy. With engaging text and bright artwork, it’s a perfect way for children to explore how people celebrate life all around the world through Africa and the Caribbean. You truly see the similarities and what people from the Caribbean carried with them from Africa; absolutely amazing!
Key fact: This book helps young readers learn about diverse cultural traditions while promoting respect, curiosity, and appreciation for the rich heritage shared across African and Caribbean communities.
Final Thoughts
Africa is bursting with colour, rhythm, and celebration and these 10 special books prove it! From the joyful drums of Africa Day to the golden glow of Ethiopia’s New Year, every festival tells a story of pride, unity, and culture. Whether it’s dancing under the sun, sharing delicious food, or honouring ancestors, each day which brings people together in beautiful ways.
Africa doesn’t just celebrate it shines. These special books remind us that joy, community, and heritage are worth celebrating every single day. So grab your drums, your friends, and your brightest outfit as the party never really ends in Africa!