Bianca with Dr. Cole and Nelda LaTeef on African Proverbs for All Ages

In this episode, I talk with noted anthropologist and educator Dr. Johnetta Betsch Cole and award-winning illustrator Nelda La Teef.

We discuss their picture book, African Proverbs for All Ages, the first Oprah Book. It is a beautifully-illustrated, engaging picture book about the power of proverbs, how they evolve over time, and the wisdom of various cultures in Africa.

A native of Jacksonville, Florida, Dr. Cole grew up during the days of racial segregation. She holds a B.A. in sociology from Oberlin College, and masters and doctorate degrees from Northwestern University. Dr. Cole has conducted anthropological fieldwork in Liberia, West Africa, and traveled to 17 African countries. She is the only person to have served as president for both Spelman and Bennet Colleges; she was also the  Director of the Smithsonian National Museum of African Art from 2009 to 2016. Dr. Cole serves as the Chair of the Board and the President of the  National Council of Negro Women, an organization with a membership of over two million women of African descent. Throughout her career, she has worked on issues of racial, gender, and other systems of inequality.

Nelda LaTeef is the award-winning author and illustrator of The Hunter and The Ebony Tree, Animal Village, and The Talking Baobab Tree.  She grew up in a US Foreign Service family and spent her childhood attending schools in Europe, Africa, and Asia. She has traveled throughout West Africa conducting field research and has even been to the fabled city of Timbuktu. She holds a degree in social anthropology from Harvard University. Nelda lives in Virginia with her family where she enjoys traveling, tennis, and cycling.

Order a copy of African Proverbs of All Ages here.

Visit Nelda Lateef at https://www.neldalateef.com/.

Resources:

National Council of Negro Women: https://ncnw.org/

https://www.spelman.edu/about-us/office-of-the-president/past-presidents/johnnetta-cole

Transcription:

You can read the transcription on The Children's Book Review.

Discussion Topics:

• A story summary of African Proverbs for All Ages.
• What is a proverb?
• Why are we drawn to proverbs?
• All about African Proverbs for All Ages.
• Favorite proverbs.
• Becoming readers.