Skip to content
Pragmatic Mom
Menu
  • Home
  • About
    • Contact
    • Policies
    • Media Kit
    • Privacy Policy
    • Copyright
    • KidLit Blogroll
  • My Book Lists
    • My List of Lists
    • Multicultural Books for Children: 60+ Book Lists
    • #OwnVoices
    • Summer Reading Lists for Middle School Kids
    • Asian American Children’s Books
    • African American Children’s Books
    • Arab American Children’s Books
    • Latinx American Children’s Books
    • Native American Children’s Books
    • LGBTQIA+ Children’s Books
    • Diverse Books for Kids
    • Best Books for Kids
  • Education
    • STEM/STEAM
    • Math
    • Social Studies
    • Art Projects for Kids
    • Applying to Art School
    • Applying to College
    • Book Club for Kids
    • 70+ Free Educational Games
  • Controversial
    • Sexual Misconduct in Children’s Book Publishing #MeToo #TimesUp
    • Rethinking & Examining Dr. Seuss’ Racism
    • Blood Feud over YA #BloodHeir
    • Tulsa Race Massacre: What They Don’t Teach You in History Books
    • The Chinese Exclusion Act – What They Don’t Teach in History Books
    • Segregation in California Schools: What They Don’t Teach in History Books
    • SCBWI Minnesota Racist Illustration and Gaslighting Response
  • My Books
    • My Book Announcements
    • Origami French Fries: Activity for THE TRAVELING TACO
    • Book Announcement: A Place to Call Home! {and a new title …}
    • FOOD FOR THE FUTURE makes Sunshine State Young Readers Award Orange Blossom List for Nonfiction!
    • Cover Reveal of my latest picture book … FORTUNE COOKIES FOR EVERYONE!
    • Picture Book Announcement! BARBED WIRE BETWEEN US, illustrated by Violeta Encarnación
    • We Sing From the Heart gets a few stickers!
    • Book Announcement! Postcards from Malcolm X: How Yuri Kochiyama Became a Civil Rights Activist
    • Kirkus Reviews My Newest Picture Book: THE TRAVELING TACO
    • We Sing From the Heart is a Notable Social Studies Trade Books for Young People Winner!
    • We Sing From the Heart gets a few stickers!
    • WE SING FROM THE HEART wins California Eureka! Nonfiction Children’s Book Award
    • WE SING FROM THE HEART is Orbis Pictus Recommended Book
    • WE SING FROM THE HEART is a Junior Library Guild Gold Selection
    • Dorktales Podcast: Simon Tam, Hidden Hero of History
    • Food for the Future Wins Nautilus Silver Book Award
    • Food for the Future makes Mass Book Award Long List!
    • FOOD FOR THE FUTURE Makes Green Earth Book Award Long List!
    • Food for the Future is a finalist for 2023 INDIES Book of the Year!
    • New! Food for the Future Activity and Discussion Guide!
    • FOOD FOR THE FUTURE is a Junior Library Guild Gold Selection!
    • ‘Food for the Future’ selected for Chicago Public Library’s Best of the Best books
    • Scholastic Purchased CHANGING THE GAME!
    • Starred Review for FOOD FOR THE FUTURE from School Library Journal!
    • Sumo Joe makes Bank Street Best Children’s Books of the Year list!
    • How To Coach Girls wins Silver Award!
    • Posts on My Books
  • My Book Events
    • My Book Events
    • I’m Signing Books at ALA 2025 in Philly!
Menu
Picture Books About Africa

11 Picture Books About Africa That Teach Empathy

Posted on May 8, 2017February 17, 2025 by Pragmatic Mom

I received so many great picture book suggestions for my first list, 10 Great Picture Books to Learn About Africa, that I had to include them on a new list. So here it is. Part Two: 10 More Great Picture Books To Learn About Africa.

This new list highlights seemingly ordinary people who find ways to help people in extraordinary ways. Other books on this list showcase empathy and helping others. It is my hope that this list inspires kids that they can change the world.

p.s. Here is one more:

Kende! Kende! Kende! by Kirsten Cappy and Yaya Gentille, illustrated by Rahana Dariah

This is a gentle refugee story of a family in Africa that flees their home for a refugee camp using many different modes of transportation. Despite the challenges, their family expands with the birth of a new baby. Finally, they settle in a new country where they experience snow …  and another addition to the family! Readers can access this book in seven languages using the QR code on the front of the book. [bilingual French picture book, ages 3 and up]

Kende! Kende! Kende! by Kirsten Cappy and Yaya Gentille, illustrated by Rahana Dariah

 

10 Picture Books About Africa That Teach Empathy

10. 14 Cows for America by Carmen Agra Deedy, in collaboration with Wilson Kimeli Naiyomah, illustrated by Thomas Gonzalez 

Willson Kimeli Naiyomah of Kenya

In Kenya, Kimeli comes home to his Maasai village after studying abroad. He has something important to discuss with his village elders. He remembers 9/11 and the suffering in New York. To the Maasai, the cow is life. Kimeli offers his only cow Enkarûs; others join him in this ultimate sacrifice. Together they gift fourteen precious cows for America “because there is no nation so powerful that it cannot be wounded, nor a people so small that they cannot offer mighty comfort.” This is based on the true story of Kimeli Naiyomah. [picture book, ages 5 and up]

9. Growing Peace: A Story of Farming, Music, and Religious Harmony by Richard Sobol

J. J. Keki

In a village in Uganda, farmers work together at a coffee growers co-op called Peace Kawomera (Delicious Peace). What is unusual is this is an interfaith farming cooperative with Christians, Jews, and Muslims all working together.

Not too long ago, Uganda had a series of civil wars, and people of all religions faced persecution. When Ugandan musician, J. J. Keki visited the United States, he witnessed the 9/11 terrorist attack, and it prompted him to start this farming co-op. As of 2016, there were more than 1,000 farmers growing and selling their coffee collectively through Peace Kawomera. [advanced nonfiction picture book, ages 7 and up]

8. The Water Princess by Susan Verde and Georgie Badiel, illustrated by Peter H. Reynolds

This story is based on supermodel Georgie Badiel’s childhood in Burkina Faso, where water has to be collected miles away and carried back on the heads of women and girls. The heroine in her story, Princess Gie Gie, dreams of the day when her village will have cool, crystal-clear water of its own. [picture book, ages 4 and up]

Georgie Badiel foundation for clean water in Africa

The backstory of this picture book is the chance meeting between Peter H. Reynolds (The Dot, The Museum) and model/activist Georgie Badiel at the Women in the World Summit in New York City. He suggested that she meet with his Museum collaborator, author Susan Verde, and the trio brought her story to life. Georgie Badiel started a foundation to provide clean water to the people of Burkina Faso and Africa, including digging wells, restoring wells, and supporting education for women and children.

7. The Red Bicycle: The Extraordinary Story of One Ordinary Bicycle by Jude Isabella, illustrated by Simone Shin

Leo in America has worked hard to earn a bicycle he named Big Red. Now that his bike is too small for him, he decides to donate it to a country that really needs it. Big Red ends up in Ghana where a young girl, Alisetta, uses it to help her family bring crops to the market. When Big Red’s spokes break from a runaway pig, she donates it to a local medical clinic where it’s turned into an ambulance bike. The gift of a red bike from America has a new life, helping others in Africa. [picture book, ages 8 and up]

Interested in donating a bicycle too? Check out Bicycles for Humanity.

6. Wangari Maathai: The Woman Who Planted Millions of Trees by Franck Prévot, illustrated by Aurélia Fronty

Wangari Maathai

In the shade of the big mugumo, her mother teaches her that a tree is worth more than its wood, an expression that Wangari never forgets.

In Kenya, the British colonists grow rich by cutting down trees to plant tea. Wangari witnesses the destruction of the trees as a child and returns from education abroad to find that this practice has changed the ecology. Wild animals are rare now, food-growing farms are scarce, and the rivers are muddy from erosion.

She creates the Green Belt Movement to reforest her country, recruiting women to help. It’s dangerous to oppose the government officials who have made fortunes from razing forests, but Wangari is not deterred. Her trees help to build bridges between tribes, and she becomes the assistant minister of the environment, after helping to bring down President Daniel Arap Moi. Wangari Maathai received the Nobel Peace Prize in 2004. [picture book biography, ages 6 and up]

5. Chicken in the Kitchen by Nnedi Okorafor, illustrated by Mehrdokht Amini

This picture book reads like a charming African folk tale but it’s set in modern-day Nigeria. When Anyaugo wakes up in the middle of the night, she finds a giant chicken in her kitchen and fears the cooking her mom and aunts have done for the New Yam Festival tomorrow. Is this a friendly chicken, and how does she get rid of it? [picture book, ages 4 and up]

4. Bringing the Rain to Kapiti Plain by Verna Aardema, illustrated by Beatriz Vidal

This rhyming story shows the dependence of all the creatures living in the Kapiti Plain on the rain. Without the rain, the grass turns brown, and the cows are hungry and dry. It falls to Ki-pat the herd boy to change the weather, which he does with the help of an eagle’s feather. His shot pierces the storm cloud, releasing the rain. Referencing this picture book can help kids understand famine in Africa. [picture book, ages 4 and up]

3. The Butter Man by Elizabeth Alalou and Ali Alalou, illustrated by Julie Klear Essakalli

While Nora waits for her father to prepare couscous for dinner, she tells him that she’s starving. He wants her to save her appetite for dinner so he tells her a story about his childhood when there was famine in Northern Morocco. His family had to sell the cow which gave them milk and butter and his father had to leave them in search of work.

When he asked for butter, his mother told him to wait for the butter man (a merchant who walked through their area) to ask for a bit of butter. The butter man never came, but soon his father returned with flour, vegetables, and meat, and eventually, his family was able to buy a new cow that gave them butter.

This picture book tells the story of the Bergers or Imazighen, the native people of North Africa. [advanced picture book, ages 6 and up]

2. Mama Panya’s Pancakes: A Village Tale from Kenya by Mary Chamberlin and Rich Chamberlain, illustrated by Julia Cairns

As Mama Panya and her young son Adika walk to the market, he invites all the friends he meets to share their pancakes at dinner. Mama Panya worries about how she will feed a crowd with just enough money for food for the two of them. This is a heartwarming story about sharing and the rewards that it brings to creating community. The back matter pages have more information about life in Kenya, plants and animals Adika and Mama Panya saw on the way to market, and how to speak Kiswahiki. Mama Panya’s pancake recipe is also included! [picture book, ages 4 and up]

1. The Boy Who Harnessed the Wind by William Kamkwamba and Bryan Mealer, illustrated by Anna Hymas

In William’s village in Malawi, there is no money for lights, and a drought throws the country into famine. William’s family can’t afford his school fees, or even more than one meal a day. At age 14 with free time on his hands, he goes to the library, a gift from the Americans, where he finds books on machines including a windmill. He gets the idea to build it to bring up water from below ground and make it from trash: a tractor fan, shock absorber, broken bicycle, and plastic pipes. This is a true story. William studied at Dartmouth and returned to Malawi to work on renewable energy for electricity and pumping water. [picture book, ages 6 and up]

Here’s his TEDTalk:

 To examine any book more closely at Amazon, please click on image of book.

10 Picture Books About Africa That Teach Empathy

As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.

 

Follow PragmaticMom’s board Multicultural Books for Kids on Pinterest.

Follow PragmaticMom’s board Children’s Book Activities on Pinterest.

 

My books:

We Sing From the Heart picture book cover reveal of The Slants Simon Tam Amazon / Signed or Inscribed by Me

We Sing from the Heart: How the Slants®  Took Their Fight for Free Speech to the Supreme Court

  • ALSC Notable Children’s Book
  • Orbis Pictus Recommended Book for Outstanding Nonfiction for Children
  • California Eureka Non-Fiction Award Honor Book
  • Notable Social Studies Trade Books for Young People Winner (from National Council for the Social Studies and Children’s Book Council)
  • Junior Library Guild Gold Selection

 

Cover Reveal for THE TRAVELING TACO by Mia Wenjen Amazon / Signed or Inscribed by Me

 

Cover Reveal: Boxer Baby Battles Bedtime!Amazon / Signed or Inscribed by Me

 

Food for the Future: Sustainable Farms Around the World by Mia Wenjen, illustrated by Robert Sae-HengAmazon / Barefoot Books / Signed or Inscribed by Me

Food for the Future: Sustainable Farms Around the World

  • ⭐ Starred review from School Library Journal!
  • Junior Library Guild Gold selection
  • Massachusetts Book Award Long List
  • dPICTUS 100 Outstanding Picture Books of 2023
  • Chicago Library’s Best of the Best
  • 2023 INDIES Book of the Year Awards Finalist
  • Green Earth Book Award Long List
  • Nautilus Silver Winner, Nonfiction Children’s Picture Book
  • Imagination Soup’s 35 Best Nonfiction Books of 2023 for Kids

cover for Sumo Joe

Amazon / Signed or Inscribed by Me

Bank Street College’s The Best Children’s Books of the Year

Changing the Game: Asian Pacific American Female Athletes by Mia WenjenAmazon / Signed or Inscribed by Me

 

Amazon / Signed or Inscribed by Me

 

The Elusive Full Ride Scholarship: An Insider’s GuideSigned or Inscribed by Me

 

How To Coach Girls by Mia Wenjen and Alison Foley

Signed or Inscribed by Me

Asian Pacific American HeroesSigned or Inscribed by Me

10 thoughts on “11 Picture Books About Africa That Teach Empathy”

  1. Mother of 3 says:
    May 8, 2017 at 3:35 pm

    These are amazing! Just added a few more books to our Africa study!

    Reply
    1. Pragmatic Mom says:
      July 15, 2017 at 12:59 pm

      Thanks so much Mother of 3!

      Reply
  2. Katrina says:
    May 8, 2017 at 7:28 pm

    Thanks for including ‘Chicken in the Kitchen’ on this great list! We’re thrilled! You might want to check out our 2 new books about Africa, both #ownvoices. ‘Sleep Well Siba and Saba’ by Nansubuga Nagadya Isdahl (author), and Sandra van Doorn (illustrator) is set in Uganda and is about two forgetful sisters dreaming of a bright future. ‘The Wooden Camel’ by acclaimed filmmaker and TED Fellow Wanuri Kahiu (author) and Manuela Adreani (illustrator) introduces the lives of the Turkana people of northwest Kenya through the story of Etabo, who dreams of becoming a camel racer. You can find both books on http://www.lantanapublishing.com/shop/ , on Amazon and The Book Depository. Thanks again!

    Reply
    1. Pragmatic Mom says:
      July 15, 2017 at 12:59 pm

      Hi Katrina,

      I’m looking forward to reading the other two!

      Reply
  3. maryanne @ mama smiles says:
    May 13, 2017 at 12:14 am

    You’ve featured several here that I love. Now I need to go find the rest!

    Reply
    1. Pragmatic Mom says:
      July 15, 2017 at 1:59 pm

      Glad you like the list MaryAnne!

      Reply
  4. Laura says:
    May 20, 2017 at 6:00 am

    What a great list! Many of the titles are new to me – I’m looking forward to reading them. I loved ‘The Butterman’ and so did my children. It’s a fascinating story of life in the High Atlas Mountains of Morocco. And it provides insight into what hunger really is.

    Reply
    1. Pragmatic Mom says:
      July 15, 2017 at 2:10 pm

      Hi Laura,
      I was happy to find The Butterman too! I’m glad you and your kids loved it too. I would never have guessed what the story was really about from the title or the cover.

      Reply
  5. Svenja says:
    January 29, 2018 at 5:09 am

    Thanks for sharing this wonderful list! I love that most of the books feature ordinary people taking initiative to create positive change. #ReadYOurWorld

    Reply
    1. Pragmatic Mom says:
      April 24, 2018 at 9:34 pm

      I am inspired by those people too!

      Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Looking for something? Search here.

I’m Mia Wenjen!

Mia Wenjen Pragmatic Mom

Hi, I’m Mia Wenjen. Nice to meet you!

I blog excessively about diverse children’s books (picture books through middle grade). I am also the co-founder of Read Your World Celebrates Multicultural Children’s Book Day on Jan 25, 2024, our 11th year!

I’d love to chat with you. Let’s connect! PragmaticMomBlog (at) gmail (dot) com or through my social media handles.

Free Blog Updates in your Inbox (RSS feed)

Monthly Newsletter with Subscriber Only Giveaways in your Inbox

My Linktree (click for my links & socials)

my linktree

My Websites

  • How To Coach Girls
  • I Love Newton
  • Mia Wenjen (My New Author Website)

Camp Cody: Overnight Camp in New Hampshire

Read Your World LGBTQIA+ Books Save Lives Merch!

https://www.pragmaticmom.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/Read-Your-World-FINAL-Merchandise-Video.mp4

Purchase Read Your World Merch

LGBTQIA+ Books Save Lives Merch.

Buy it here!

Search Amazon

Find Children's Books

Newton Children’s Book Festival 2025

Newton Children's Book Festival 2025

Get My Books Signed or Inscribed through my shop (click to purchase)

Mia Wenjen signed books

Boxer Baby Battles Bedtime! (click to purchase)

Cover Reveal: Boxer Baby Battles Bedtime!

We Sing From the Heart (click to pre-order)

We Sing From the Heart picture book cover reveal of The Slants Simon Tam

FOOD FOR THE FUTURE (click to purchase)

Food for the Future: Sustainable Farms Around the World by Mia Wenjen, illustrated by Robert Sae-Heng

CHANGING THE GAME (click to purchase)

Changing the Game: Asian Pacific American Female Athletes by Mia Wenjen

SUMO JOE (click to purchase)

Sumo Joe cover reveal

Asian Pacific American Heroes (click to purchase)

Asian Pacific American Heroes by Mia Wenjen

GNOMES & UNGNOMES: Poems of Hidden Creatures // I have 3 haiku poems (click to purchase)

GNOMES & UNGNOMES: Poems of Hidden Creatures 3 haiku by Mia Wenjen
Read Your World is Multicultural Children's Book Day

ClothingRIC- A Premium Coupon Website!

ThingsFromMars- The Wondrous World of Wacky Gift Products!

How to Get Kids Reading

  • Multicultural Books for Children: 60+ Book Lists
  • Getting Kids to Love Reading
  • Summer Reading Lists for Kids By Grade
  • Summer Reading Lists for Middle School Kids

Heim Nest Kid Mattress Exclusive Deal

Heim Nest Kid Mattress

AdvancedWriters.com is an expert writing service which helps students with academic writing.

educational toys

CEX.IO is a versatile crypto exchange platform where users can buy, sell, and trade cryptocurrencies, as well as access resources and tools to learn how to trade effectively.

MyPaperDone.com
is surely one of the best when it comes to paper writing assistance.

My Custom Essay
will guide you through academic life.

Essay Writing Services

If you ask "write my essay", Topessaywriting can help you with paper writing

TranslationReport can help you to choose the best translation service

If you are looking for the most trusted essay writing service, check this article about best essay writing service reviews at Econotimes

educational toys from dhgate stores

Assignment Writing Services Offer Assignment Assistance In UK Based Company 50% Discount Students

Playing at online casinos can be an exciting and rewarding experience, and you can find the best options at casinoszondercruksonline.com. 

For those seeking a safe and reputable gambling experience, the Meest betrouwbare buitenlandse casino lijst is an invaluable resource.

Archives

Categories

The Elusive Full Ride Scholarship (click to purchase)

The Elusive Full Ride Scholarship: An Insider’s Guide

HOW TO COACH GIRLS (click to purchase)

How To Coach Girls silver award winner

Archives

I’ll be sharing WHAT I WISH I KNEW BEFORE I STARTED MY KICKSTARTER CAMPAIGN

HOW TO COACH GIRLS book trailer by Mia Wenjen & Alison Foley

https://youtu.be/j74M0bBxrGg

Recent Posts

  • Cover Reveal for Fight for the Right to Read June 16, 2025
  • We Sing From the Heart makes Bank Street Best Children’s Book of the Year 2025! June 13, 2025
  • Sumo Joe turns 6 Years Old and 6 book GIVEAWAY! June 11, 2025
  • 7 Interfaith Picture Books & GIVEAWAY! June 9, 2025
  • Read Your World Summer Flash Sale! June 6, 2025

Categories

© 2025 Pragmatic Mom | Powered by Superbs Personal Blog theme
This website uses cookies to improve your experience. We'll assume you're ok with this, but you can opt-out if you wish.Accept Read More
Privacy & Cookies Policy

Privacy Overview

This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Out of these cookies, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are as essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. But opting out of some of these cookies may have an effect on your browsing experience.
Necessary
Always Enabled
Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. This category only includes cookies that ensures basic functionalities and security features of the website. These cookies do not store any personal information.
SAVE & ACCEPT