Angelou, Maya.
Kofi and His Magic
. Clarkson Potter, New York (1996). The photography contained herein are absolutely wonderful and accurately portray the landscape, the people, and diversity found in Ghana. A must-use realistic fiction resource.
Bartok, Mira, et al.
Ancient & Living Cultures: West African Stencils - Ghana
. Good Year Books (1993). Filled with valuable information, folktales, Adinkra symbols, and activities to be used in class.
Blauer, Ettagale and Laure, Jason.
Ghana. Enchantment of the World
. Children's Press, New York et al, (1999). A non-fiction work that gives an accurate view of Ghanaian culture past and present.
Chocolate, Deborah Newton.
Talk, Talk: An Asante Legend (A Retold Version)
. Troll Associates. New York (1994). This catchy work of fiction highlights the Ghanaian belief that inanimate objects possess a spiritual quality. An enticing tale for the emergent reader.
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Spider and the Sky God: An Akan Legend (A Retold Version)
. Troll Associates (1993). A wonderful traditional tale to explain the creation of the heavens.
Franklin, Kristine L.
The Old, Old Man and the Very Little Boy
. Antheneum, New York (1992). A touching story revealing the beauty of aging and the wonders of the circle of life.
Mendez, Phil.
The Black Snowman
. Scholastic, New York (1989). This fictitious work speaks on the being proud of one's heritage and of being Black. It begins, however, with a powerful, realistic glimpse of thriving African nations from long ago and touches upon the beginning of the slave trade and the destruction of a culture. Despite it all, a people have stood strong. An empowering read for one with low-self esteem.
Kuenyefu, Nikki P.
Kwaku Ananse and His Mouthless Wife
. Second Image Publishing, Accra (1998). A hilarious Ghanaian folktale in the tradition of Ananse.
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Kwaku Ananse and the Cupful of Hot Beans
. Second Image Publishing, Accra (1998). Another wonderful related work by the author.
Haskins, James and Benson, Kathleen.
African Beginnings (A Look At Great African Empires of the Past)
. Lothrop, Lee & Shepard Books, New York (1998). A non-fiction work masterfully illustrated by Floyd Cooper, it highlights the great kingdoms of Africa. Ghana is well depicted.
Mitchell, Rhonda.
The Talking Cloth
. Orchard Books, New York (1997). A wonderful children's writing that highlights the purpose behind the creation of Adinkra cloth.
Osseo Asare, Fran.
Good Soup Attracts Chairs - Ghanaian Cookery for Children
. (1993). Simple-to-prepare, tasty dishes are included in this work. A great complement to storytelling.
Stelzig, Christine.
Can You Spot the Leopard: African Masks
. Prestel, Inc., Munich/New York. (1997). This work helps students understand the meaning behind African mask-making, that mask hold more than an artistic meaning. A wonderful complement to exposing students to African art.
Sutherland, Efua.
Playtime In Africa
. Antheum Press (1963). Although somewhat outdated, based on my extensive stay in Ghana, many of the presented games and information continue to hold true. A valuable resource in the study of Ghanaian culture. Games and activities noted herein can be played and/or created by young learners.
Toprah, Samuel Kwasi.
The New Adventures of Ananse
. Academia Magazines Publisher, Accra (1998). A Ghanaian folktale.
Yarbrough, Camille,
Cornrows
. Coward-McCann, Inc., New York (1979). Cornrowing is common to African people and is a meaningful tradition handed down throughout the Diaspora. Although not specifically targeted at Ghanaian culture, it accentuates an African tradition that is embraced by Blacks throughout the world.
