Chino loves the scarf that her mama ties around her hair at night. But when Mama leaves for the day, what happens to her scarf? Chino takes it on endless adventures! Peeking through the colorful haze of the silky scarf, Chino and her toy bunny can look at her whole family as they go through their routines.
With stunning illustrations from Joelle Avelino, Mama's Sleeping Scarf is a celebration of family, and a touching story about the everyday objects that remind us of the ones we love.
JOELLE AVELINO is a Congolese and Angolan illustrator who grew up in the United Kingdom. Her work has been featured in The Guardian, Elle magazine, Time magazine, Huffington Post, and by the BBC and Malala Fund.
Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie is a writer.
So delighted to announce that I’ve written my first children’s book, Mama’s Sleeping Scarf. It is a celebration of the joy in ordinary family life. The illustrations by the immensely taletented @joelle_avelino are so beautiful, so apt. It will… https://t.co/TqqVxW2sdC
Your go-to site for African writing and literary culture. We bring you all the latest news on publications, authors, events, prizes, and lifestyle.
Chimamanda Adichie's upcoming children's book MAMA'S SLEEPING SCARF is written under the pseudonym Nwa Grace, an homage to her mother. The book will be illustrated by the "immensely talented" Congolese and Angolan London-based artist Joelle Avelino. https://t.co/t89ksFW1Tl
#WorldKidLit #WIT #IntlYALit #GLLITranslatedYABookPrize Shop here: https://t.co/05wWiJotMk
Mama's Sleeping Scarf, by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie. It's her first children's book. Illustrations are by @joelle_avelino. A tender story about a little girl’s love for her mother’s scarf, & the adventures she shares with it & her whole family. #WomensHistoryMonth #WorldKidLit🧵 https://t.co/0n7iPssxZr
"Solidly reassuring. . . . Avelino's playful illustrations depict a family with a range of skin tones and hair colors, a refreshing reflection of the true diversity of the Black community. Bright, fantastical backgrounds with repeating circular patterns feature various shapes and colors while placing the focus on Chino's relationships with her loved ones. The straightforward text lingers on each scene, inviting readers to dwell in Chino's world. This is a cozy read-aloud to help little ones wind down before a nap or bed." --Kirkus Reviews
"This straightforward yet lively telling illustrates how a simple object used to maintain and accessorize hair supports both a child's sense of autonomy and a Black family's powerful bond." --Publishers Weekly
"An adorable book with beautifully-colored illustrations by Joelle Avelino. . . . A sweet story about worries and adventures, along with routines and family. Mama's Sleeping Scarf shows how the smallest things are connected, how a family relates to one another, and more importantly, how Mama always comes back home." --Black Girl Nerds
"A sweet story about family, connection, and the joys of everyday life." --Brightly (The Best Children's and YA Books of September)