Harare Review of Books

176 pages.

Expected publication date: Jan 2, 2024 (Algonquin Young Readers)

Children’s non-fiction.

This wonderfully engaging and educational book is meant for children, but I couldn’t put it down. It lists ten Africans of note—from playwrights to generals, queens and kings—who changed history. Of course, this is far from a comprehensive list, and it skews quite heavily north-east African, but what is there is entertaining and well-written. It’s also important to note the book depends on existing written (and Western) sources, although Baptiste is clear throughout on how flawed and incomplete our knowledge of historical Africa is.

Not only is the writing engaging—the material is visually beautiful, with accompanying illustrations and graphics by Hillary D. Wilson, without which the book would be entirely different. African Icons is a wonderful project, highly recommended for all, and particularly for family libraries.

Thank you to NetGalley and to Algonquin Young Readers for access.