I have another picture book today. It's turning into a picture book week, which is funny since I really thought I'd be overwhelmed with middle grade and young adult reads this month. Just goes to show you how volatile things are in the literary market!
Anyway, I was happy to get my hands on this read not only because it hits other cultures but also because I haven't had one about a new baby sibling or family member in quite awhile. So, it was time to hit that topic again.
WAITING TO WELCOME
A New Baby Story from West Africa
by Samantha Cleaver and
Reuben Nantogmah
Illustrated by Bri Marie McNish
Feiwel & Friends
Picture Book
32 pages
ages 4 to 8
COMING JULY 16th!!!
Readers are invited to a joyous cultural celebration full of delicious food, laughter, and love in Samantha Cleaver and Reuben Nantogmah’s charming picture book, adorably brought to life by debut illustrator Bri Marie McNish.
In Ghana and some other west African countries, when a baby is born, the extended family prepares for a whole week to welcome the little one at a celebration called an outdooring. Andani can't wait to meet her new baby cousin, but a week is so long!
As her aunties and uncles prepare cassava, tuo zaafi, fufu, and other delicious foods for the outdooring, Andani will have to patiently (well, okay, sometimes not so patiently) wait to perform the most important job of being the first to greet the little one by name.
In Ghana and some other west African countries, when a baby is born, the extended family prepares for a whole week to welcome the little one at a celebration called an outdooring. Andani can't wait to meet her new baby cousin, but a week is so long!
As her aunties and uncles prepare cassava, tuo zaafi, fufu, and other delicious foods for the outdooring, Andani will have to patiently (well, okay, sometimes not so patiently) wait to perform the most important job of being the first to greet the little one by name.
MY TIDBITS
A different view on the greeting of a baby to the world not only brings excitement but opens up a door to understanding the wide variety cultures hold.
Andani is so excited. A baby is born, and she can't wait to greet her new cousin. But she needs to stay patient for seven days to see if it'll choose to stay or go back to the spirit world. Time goes by so slowly, and everyone else seems to have something important to prepare for the big celebration. Except for her.
This tale comes from a belief found in Ghana. When a baby is born, it is said to exist between the human world and the spirit world. It has seven days to decide whether it will stay with humans, during which time it is referred to as 'Stranger'. After those seven days, it's given a name and greeted. This idea is quickly summed up on the first page, before the story of Andani begins. When Andani hits the pages, excitement and joy immediately hit. It's hard not to be excited right along with her, and it's easy to sympathize with her as she tries to help with the preparations but keeps getting sent away. There's a wonderful sense of family, and the happiness in getting ready for something together radiates from the page. Of course, this all comes together nicely when the big day arrives and the baby is greeted. It's easy to understand, packed full of positive moments, and even teaches about the custom in an understandable way.
The illustrations are well done and flow right along with the text. It makes a lovely read-aloud and does open the door to a theme surrounding this culture or a general look at the area. At the end of the book, the authors explain their connection to the read and offer a little insight to round things off well.
And here they are...
Samantha Cleaver and Reuben Nantogmah have been partners of one kind or another for more than 10 years. Their picture book collaboration started in 2020, when Samantha asked Reuben for input on a picture book idea about a west African outdooring ceremony. Reuben shared his knowledge and insights, and their book Waiting to Welcome was born. Now, Samantha and Reuben write stories that help them share and celebrate their kids’ bicultural Ghanaian-American family, traditions, and community. Outside of writing, Samantha and Reuben have four kids, and enjoy exploring local greenways, cooking, and watching Japanese TV with their kids.
Bri Marie McNish is a self-taught illustrator based in New England. At a young age, she was instilled with a love of fairy tales and fables, and now she aims to create art that features inclusive characters and cozy settings she wished she saw in the media she loved as a child. When not illustrating, she has a deep love for black tea, romantic comedies, and especially her loud lasagna-loving cat, Garfield. Waiting to Welcome is her first picture book.
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