African Icons

Starred review from September 20, 2021
This riveting nonfiction work by Baptiste (the Jumbies series), aiming to reveal how “Africa has fueled the world,” details the lives of 10 individuals, including Aesop, Merneith, Terence, and Tin Hinan, from African dynasties that are rarely mentioned in, and frequently deliberately eliminated from, world history. Interspersed passages of context convey a rich account of innovative, oft-untold breakthroughs that took place in Africa before European colonization: forming a functioning government, exporting goods such as turquoise and copper, and creating fine literature that evolved into the comedy of manners. From Menes’s embodiment of the sacred god Horus to nomadic Berbers crossing the Sahara, readers will learn about events and figures with impressive legacies. For example, Hannibal Barca, a war tactician, outstrategized Rome for years using mobile units and the natural environment to his advantage, inspiring myriad military leaders. Each profile is accompanied by Wilson’s lush full-color art, depicting African luminaries and kingdoms in all of their glory. Concise and well researched, this robust, historically accurate timeline of the “great continent and its people” will serve as an invaluable resource for years to come. Back matter features an author’s note, source notes, and bibliography. Ages 8–12.

Starred review from October 1, 2021

Gr 6-10-To remedy the practice of limiting lesson plans on Black history to enslavement, the Civil War, and the civil rights movement, Baptiste sheds light on the rich and complex pre-enslavement history of the African continent, much of which has been long buried because of the bias and racism of white gatekeepers. Thankfully, Baptiste has unearthed them for young readers through copious research and synthesized them into a spellbinding collection that spotlights 10 historical figures, including writers, kings and queens, and military leaders. Each profile opens with a majestic portrait by Wilson, whose palette of purples and golds imbues the subjects with a regal feel. Interstitial chapters provide background on geography, historical context, and technology. Transitions between selections are smooth; the volume reads more like a cohesive narrative than a group of entries. The language is accessible to upper elementary readers, but the book will find a better home in middle school libraries. The back matter is a librarian's dream, with almost 14 pages of bibliography and source notes, in addition to notes from the author and designer, an index, and further reading. Educators should use this work to discuss how bias in research and history has resulted in groundbreaking figures of color being pushed to the margins. VERDICT An impeccably researched revelation that fills a too wide gap in collections; it's unfair how long it's taken for these histories to be made public to young readers.-Shelley M. Diaz, School Library Journal

Copyright 2021 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

Starred review from August 15, 2021
Ten historical African figures' biographies are interspersed with notes on the history of the continent. What Baptiste accomplishes in only 139 pages of narrative is near miraculous. She lifts the veil intentionally cast over African history, granting readers a veritable feast of information and inspiration. Readers meet, among others, Menes, who unified Upper and Lower Egypt in the 31st century B.C.E.; Amanirenas, first-century B.C.E. queen of Kush, who expelled the Romans; and Idia, the 16th-century queen of Benin who wielded kingmaker powers and ensured diplomatic ties with Portugal. Wilson's portraits of each figure exude such beauty, strength, power, and, above all, dignity as to be nearly breathtaking. Each one gazes out at readers with a regal confidence that's sure to inspire them to gaze back. Wilson also provides lush landscapes and spot illustrations throughout. Pictures of historical artifacts are also included. Black leaders of any age will see themselves reflected in the amazing lives chronicled, many of whom may be new to readers. Non-Black readers will get a window into the marvelous history of a continent oft overlooked and relegated to a single narrative. Refreshingly free of generalizations, this impressively researched work was clearly a massive undertaking (as evidenced by the source notes), presenting figures from multiple parts of the continent in the truth of their cultural and historical richness. The result is empowering, necessary, and required reading for all. Game changing. (author's note, source notes, bibliography, further exploration, designer's note) (Nonfiction. 10-adult)

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June 1, 2021
Grades 4-7 Ten carefully chosen biographies--of six men and four women--introduce figures who have made invaluable contributions to Africa's history. Profiled here are Egypt's first pharaoh, Menes; First Dynasty Queen Merneith; Imhotep, medical demigod and vizier to a king; storyteller Aesop, alongside text of "The Eagle and the Beetle"; military commander Hannibal; playwright Terence; Queen Amanirenas, who defended her kingdom against the Roman Empire; disabled woman Tin Hinan, who founded a desert city and became a queen; warrior queen Idia; and Mansa Musa, then the richest man in the world, who became an emperor. Scattered throughout these biographies are fascinating facts (e.g., most maps show Africa 14.5 times smaller than it really is in comparison to other continents). Baptiste includes contextualizing background in each profile that addresses the richness of Africa's history. Each profile contains a color illustration with a name-pronunciation guide. Readers will be fascinated by the lives of these icons and gain a real appreciation of Africa's underrepresented place in world history.

COPYRIGHT(2021) Booklist, ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.

July 1, 2021
Historical African leaders -- Egyptian pharaohs, Aesop, Hannibal, Mansa Musa, and queens Amanirenas and Idia, and others -- are introduced in thrilling accounts (some poetic license taken) of their lives; each entry is accompanied by an eye-catching full-color (speculative) portrait. To convey the breadth and depth of pre-Colonial African culture, Baptiste includes accessible overviews of historical developments such as Carthaginian dominance in the Mediterranean and the formation of trans-Saharan trade routes with the kingdoms of Mali and Ghana. Maps, illustrations, and photos of relevant artifacts (an ivory mask of Queen Idia; a fourteenth-century illustration of Mansa Musa) are sprinkled throughout. An author's note, source notes, bibliography, links for "further exploration," and an index are among the back matter in this fascinating history.

(Copyright 2021 by The Horn Book, Incorporated, Boston. All rights reserved.)