Ayo's Adventure

"As a lifelong literacy advocate, I seek out children's books that help kids explore the world around them. Ayo's Adventure is a journey through the sights and sounds of the African diaspora. I loved hanging out with Ayo on his adventure. I learned so much" - LeVar Burton, actor and children's literacy advocate"

"Ayo told his mother all about the cultures, celebrations, and places he'd visited...He told her how Black people around the world fought, rebelled, and resisted, to create, innovate, and inspire."

One night as Ayo sits in front of a world map, his dad explains,

"Our ancestors came from many nations in Africa. We are still connected to them today..."
"What do you mean, Dad?"
"I'll tell you more about this tomorrow, Ayo. Right now, it's bedtime."

When Ayo drifts off to sleep, his dreams take him on an extraordinary journey through space, time and the alphabet to discover cultures of the African diaspora. "H" is for hip-hop, and "K" is kente cloth. "M" is for Mansa Mansa" and "R" is for revolution. He learns just how much the African diaspora has inspired the entire world in this A to Z exploration of Black history and culture.

- Country labels, inset boxes and pronunciation guides on each page provide additional background information.

- Extensive endnotes dive deeper into the African diaspora and the cultures featured in the story.

Ain Drew is the author of Ari J.'s Kinky, Curly Crown. She is inspired by the power of words and loves writing beautiful stories for children. As an educator, Ain uses books to expand her students' knowledge about the world around them. Ain lives in Atlanta, Georgia, USA, and enjoys spending time with her son, DJ, learning about different cultures around the globe, exploring new places, and reading.

Erin K. Robinson is an Emmy-nominated illustrator trained at the Parsons School of Design and the Corcoran School of Art. Erin's illustrations have been featured in the New York Times and the Washington Post, and she has illustrated numerous picture books, including A Library by Nikki Giovanni. Erin splits her time between Brooklyn, NY, and Washington, DC.

• Publisher: Barefoot Books (September 17, 2024)
• Language: English
• Hardcover: 56 pages
• ISBN-13: 9798888592120
• Reading age: 5-10
• Item Weight: 14.08 ounces
• Dimensions: 9.8 x 11.6 x 0.6 inches
• BISAC Categories: Concepts - Alphabet, People & Places - United States - African American, People & Places - Africa, Diversity & Multicultural