Where There Is Love: A Story in African Proverbs by Shauntay Grant and Letícia Moreno - ADVISABLE

Where There Is Love: A Story in African Proverbs by Shauntay Grant, illustrated by Letícia Moreno. PICTURE BOOK. Penguin Young Readers Group, 2025. $19. 9780593659939

BUYING ADVISORY: Pre-K, EL (K-3) - ADVISABLE

APPEALS TO: SOME

Nana uses traditional African proverbs to guide her granddaughter through the small moments of the day, such as learning to cook. One particularly touching lesson Nana shares is: "She who does not know can know from learning," fostering patience and self-worth. Set over the course of a single summer day at Nana’s house, the story isn't just about a family gathering—it’s a living lesson in how heritage and love are intertwined.

Proverbs are sweet and fun. Letícia Moreno’s illustrations are a highlight, using rich reds and soft pinks to radiate heat and familial connection. The inclusion of symbols like the Sankofa bird and golden ""sparkling trails"" for food scents adds a magical, immersive quality to the pages. The introduction to the word ""calabash"" is a little confusing to non African readers.

S. Lewis