Mama Africa!: How Miriam Makeba Spread Hope with Her Song

I could almost hear Mama Africa sing as I read this beautifully illustrated picture book. Learning of the author, Kathryn Erskines’s own connection to this brave apartheid activist and singer touched me deeply. Such an important story to be told. And told so vividly and with such heart. Buying a copy for my local library so every child in our community can learn of the heroic journey of Miriam Makeba.

A picture book about the incredible South African singer, Miriam Makeba, who became the voice of fighting against apartheid. Called Mama Africa, she sang to expose the injustice happening around her at a time when it was dangerous to do so. Eventually, she lived in exile in the United States yet never stopped speaking and singing about her home. She spoke before the United Nations to appeal for help. Finally able to return home after apartheid ended, she continued to fight for justice the rest of her life. Erskine lived in South Africa during apartheid and draws from that knowledge in her book. Throughout, there is a celebration of the impact of song and the importance of giving voice to those living under injustice. The art by Palmer is rich and vivid. He offers portraits of people as well as landscapes that capture the fight for freedom. Appropriate for ages 6-9.

Mama Africa! is about Miriam Makeba’s life spreading the injustices of apartheid through her voice, through her songs. I thoroughly enjoyed learning about this brave, principled woman, but equally so, I enjoyed how Erskine told Miriam’s story: weaving actions and reactions with grace, pulling at the reader to roar with Miriam about the wrongs of racism and to root for her as we hear of her life’s challenges and successes. Erskine manages to tell of a serious, painful story in our history in a way approachable by young readers yet not belittling those young readers in the process.I’ve never been to South Africa, but Palmer’s bold and colorful illustrations capture my imagination of the setting as well as fuel a spirit that also drove Miriam Makeba’s life work to end apartheid.Kathryn Erskine uses her voice beautifully to share the voice and story of Miriam Makeba.

Miriam Makeba is one of my absolute favorite singers. She was a brilliant choice for the author Kathryn Erskine. I can't believe no one has done a children's biography about this amazing woman before. I am thrilled that new generations will become aware of Mama Africa. Hopefully they or their parents will play some Miriam Makeba songs for them.

As many Americans, I have very little knowledge of modern Africa....modern South Africa. This book gave me wonderful background knowledge about South Africa during apartheid and how Miriam Makeba was a part of bringing it down. What's so beautiful about the story, for me, is again I see how art is vital to progress. Even in the darkest times, our artists can point us toward a brighter future...they can see it and they invite us to follow them.Kathryn Erskine writes with the authority of someone who lived in South Africa but is not South African. Her unique observations of the people, place and time are braided into a beautiful picture book biography that I am so happy to bring to the shelves of my middle school library.

An excellent biography about Miriam Makeba and her work against apartheid!

An absolutely gorgeous book celebrating music, courage, and and the yearning for freedom.