Today I’m celebrating a fabulous new picture book coauthored by my guest, Reuben Nantogmah and Samantha Cleaver, WAITING TO WELCOME: A New Baby Story From West Africa, illustrated by Bri Marie McNish. Reuben and Samantha have been successfully collaborating on several projects for ten years. You can learn more about that on their website. I highly recommend WAITING TO WELCOME, not just as a wonderful way to learn how the people in Ghana welcome and name a new baby but it’s also the story of a town coming together to celebrate and a little girl learning patience and being rewarded with an important role in the celebration.
There have recently been a few picture books celebrating this type of important milestone. As a teacher, I like thinking of books that pair well together and I wanted to mention another amazing book that released earlier this year. Let me know in the comments if you’ve read others. Two that stand out to me for being highly re-readable, feel universal while being uniquely personal to their cultural background are beautifully written with gorgeous art are, WAITING TO WELCOME and JOYFUL SONG: A NAMING STORY, by Lesléa Newman and Susan Gal. Go buy them both now, or order them from your library. You can thank me later!
Reuben has generously offered one lucky winner a copy of WAITING TO WELCOME, comment on the blogpost to enter the giveaway (US only) and feel free to share this post on your social media and please tag me for extra entries.
What were you like at the age of your target audience?
I grew up in Tamale, Ghana. I was a very active kid. My family tells me that I was very headstrong. I remember playing a lot of soccer and making my own toys out of tin cans.
What inspires you?
I am inspired by individuals who dedicate their lives to helping others, especially those who sacrifice everything to support those in need. For example, Dr. Abdulia, a family friend in Tamale, Ghana. He was a doctor in our community that was on the path to success. However, he founded a charity for people who are mentally ill and can’t afford healthcare. He used his own funds and donations to build the charity. I often rode with him to deliver meals to patients so I saw his commitment up close. He still inspires me today.
What’s the one thing you hope readers take away from your book?
I hope that the book sparks more curiosity and questions that lead to learning especially about other cultures and the ways that people welcome new babies into their families.
What’s next for you?
Samantha, my co-author, and I have another book coming out in October! MY SMOCK IS A STORY (Harper) celebrates the Dagbani smock through the relationship between a father and son. We’re really excited for this book to join WAITING TO WELCOME in libraries.
To learn more about upcoming books from Reuben and Samantha:
check out their website: https://www.samanthacleaver.com/picture-book-writing
Sign up for their newsletter at: https://www.samanthacleaver.com/picture-book-writing
and follow them on Insta: activereadingmama
Laura Roettiger Books 
Thank you for introducing this new book and author. It’s great to learn about other cultures through their own storytelling and traditions!
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Thanks for reading, Kate. It’s a wonderful way to make our world smaller and gain understanding of new cultures. Good luck in the giveaway.
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I can’t wait to learn about a culture that is new to me. The cover art is adorable! I shared this post on tumblr to help spread the word: https://www.tumblr.com/yesreaderwriterpoetmusician/758084379054653440/welcome-author-reuben-nantogmah-giveaway-alert?source=share
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Thanks for reading, Danielle. I was also unfamiliar with this tradition and I love how the authors wrote it to share their culture with their children and the world in such a beautiful way. Good luck in the giveaway.
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