The 11 must-read children’s books of 2024
By Funke Awodiya
Celebrating Excellence in Children’s Writing
In July, Nigeria LNG Limited announced a longlist of 11 authors for The Nigeria Literature Prize, which comes with $100,000 prize money. The authors were hosted at a book party organised jointly with the Lagos-based Committee for Relevant Art (CORA).
Since 2004, the prize has been awarded in four genres: prose, poetry, drama, and children’s literature; this year, it is for children’s literature. I attended the book party and read the books afterwards. These are my thoughts on each title, written by Nigeria’s best children’s literature writers this year. So, let’s go on a book trip, a journey around the world of children — through children’s eyes.
The Road Does Not End (By Olubunmi Familoni)
Noirledge Publishers, 2024
This is about Rilwan, who is too young to understand his parents’ sudden disappearance. He also wondered why his once-ideal life turned upside down now that he lives with the cruel aunt, Aunty Biliki, while also battling bad dreams and the brutality of the streets. “After last night’s beating, I didn’t care what would happen to me anymore. I must go to school. Yes.” Rilwan’s courage and resilience at his young age are fantastic. Dive into the book, and you won’t regret it. But you might need tissues and a box of chocolates beside you if you’re like me.
The Children at the IDP Camp (by Olatunbosun Taofeek)
Grecian Books. 2024
Have you visited an IDP Camp? Can you take your child on an excursion to an IDP Camp? The internally Displaced People’s Camp doesn’t sound like a fun place, but Dalanmi visited and became a child activist after his experience at the camp. Every Nigerian child should read this book. This book changed the way I think about internally displaced people. Grab a copy of this book and present it as a gift to your child, and make sure you read it, too. As an adult, you have much to learn from Dalanmi’s parents.
A Father’s Pride (by Ndidi Chiazor-Enenmor)
Kays House of Publishing, 2024
Urenna arrived in Lagos with her Aunt. She had to leave her siblings behind in the village because her mother couldn’t care for them all after her husband died. She didn’t just leave her family behind; she left love and care in the village, too, because her experience in the city wasn’t all pleasant. However, she inspires hope despite her circumstances. Ndidi Chiazor-Enenmor brings an everyday story to life differently. If you want to encourage a child you love, get a copy of this book for the child. Don’t just give the child the book; you will have much to learn from Mama Alakara on the street of Somolu and Mrs. Ejiro’s family. Be sure to read the book too.
The Third Side of the Coin (by Hyginus Ekwuazi)
Jointly published by Sevhage Publishers & Noirledge Publishers, 2024
At eight years old, Ethan was able to show us how some adults in Nigeria fuel ethnic tensions in schools and communities. The young boy also showed us the internal conflict a child might face and the uneasiness caused by the environment, even when they have loving parents and supportive family. If you live in Nigeria or your children have Nigerian heritage, please read this book and ensure your child reads it. We all have much to learn from Ethan, his family, school and neighbours.
Mighty and Golden Jewel (by Henry Akubuiro)
Grecian Publishers, 2024
Chukwueze was born with a birth defect and faced discrimination daily. The death of his father and the civil unrest in his village made him flee to Lagos; he met another child with a disability in his new school. Though Nora’s disability differs from his, they make their voices count together through social media. Getting this book for your child is a way of teaching children inclusion and diversity from an early age. Make sure you read the book, too, and you have things to learn from the adults in the book about your responsibilities towards children placed in your care.
The Magic Jalabiya (by Ayo Oyeku)
Eleventh House Publishing Limited, 2024
Hamza received a gift that changed his life and that of his street companion, Bashir; their lives changed forever. This unique gift gives them a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to meet other children like them. From the streets of Sokoto, Kano, Lagos, Calabar and other Nigerian cities, I travel with these children and the born leader Hamza on an eye-opening journey with bitter, sour and sweet experiences. Other children later joined the duo of Hamza and Bashir in the homeless situation; Hamza, Bashir, Afiniki, Shola Millicent and Akpan became the Heroic Six. This isn’t a fuss: every child in Nigeria needs to read this book. The homeless children were teleported to a beautiful and unique place, and it seemed to tell a story that the Nigerian child needed to hear and see.
Bode’s Birthday Party (by Akanni Festus Olaniyi)
LEHAP Enterprise 2024
If you wonder how much children know about the world around them and the desire to change it, Bode’s tale will help you understand better. The young boy took us on a journey of how preteen and teenage children encounter drug abuse right under the noses of their parents and teachers. Bode believes he is born to solve big problems. The surgeon-turned-writer Akanni Festus Olaniyi has given a gift to be cherished by every child, especially the Nigerian child, by writing this book. You can show your appreciation to him by buying the book and ensuring every child you know reads it.
Grandma and the Moon’s Hidden Secret (by Jumoke Verissimo)
Cassava Republic, 2022
One of the most challenging things to explain to a young child is the death of a loved one. Aduke lived with her grandparents because her parents were in Canada studying. She’s developed a tight bond with her grandmother. She returns from school one day, and there’s no sign of her beloved grandmother anywhere. Her aunt explains the situation to her in a way you must find out. By getting a copy of this beautiful and colourful book, allow that child you love to read the book. This story is about love and what happens to families when death strikes.
Village Boy (By Aniete Usen)
Paressia Publishers, 2024
This story is splendid and has vivid images. The author took us on an adventurous tour and fun journey associated with childhood memories of a village boy. The story is laced with trials and triumphs. Aniete Usen introduced readers to childhood life in the 60s and 70s. The author’s description of his grandmother reminds me of my great-grandmother. This book will introduce children to family bonds and the beauty of knowing or leaving with grandparents. I enjoyed reading the book, and I’m sure you will, too.
Risi Recycle: The Dustbin Girl (By Temiloluwa Adesina)
Risire Daniels, popularly known as Dustbin Girl, fought through the deadly insurgence of the North that shattered her world. The author Temiloluwa Adeshina showed how Risi fought through the horrors of poverty and hunger. Her life-changing experience in the Dustbin Village in Agegunle is worth engaging. Grab a copy of the book and read it with your children.
Wish Maker (By Uchechukwu Peter Umezurike)
Masobe Books, 2024
Ebele wishes more than anything to have a memorable Christmas with many gifts. She is the child of a widow who deals with poverty, barely able to afford food and is ridiculed by her friends. Ucheckwu Peter Umezure tells a compelling story. The book is enlightening and entertaining; children and adults will enjoy it.
Awodiya is a creative writer, spoken-word poet, and sickle-cell advocate. A lecturer in the Department of Sociology (Afe Babalola University), her first book, The Farmer’s Daughter (Poems on the Borderline), is available on Amazon. Woman of a Woman is available at Faith Book Shop Ado Ekiti. Her latest book, Lagos is My Country, will be released in October. Connect with her on Facebook, Instagram (@Awodiyafunke), and TikTok (@funkeawodiya).
Editor’s Note:
As we were rounding off work on this edition, the Advisory Board for The Nigeria Prize for Literature announced a shortlist of three finalists: Ndidi Chiazor-Enenmo’s A Father’s Pride, Familoni Oluranti Olubunmi’s The Road Does Not End, and Uchechukwu Peter Umezurike’s Wish Maker. The winner will be announced at a grand event on 11 October.
