From the Heart of Africa

A collection of African wisdom gorgeously illustrated by artists from Ghana, South Africa, Zimbabwe, Canada, the United States and more.

Aphorisms are universal. They give guidance, context and instruction for life's issues, and they help us understand each other and the world around us. We use them every day, yet never think about where they came from or why they exist.

In this beautifully illustrated collection, Eric Walters brings us classic sayings from the places where this shared wisdom began. Ashanti, Sukuma, Akan and Kikuyu: all of these cultures use the portable and easily shared knowledge contained in aphorisms, and from these cultures and more this communal knowledge spread.

This book is a celebration of art, of community and of our common history.One of Canadian Children's Book Centre’s Favourite Books of the Year 2018

PRAISE FOR From the Heart of Africa:

"This beautifully illustrated book of wisdom serves as a good introduction to maxims and also acts against the many prevalent negative stereotypes of African cultures and people—lovely and illuminating." --STARRED REVIEW, Kirkus Reviews

"In this attractive picture book for older readers, Walters unites 15 aphorisms from a range of African cultures… This unique collection works both as a gift book and a handy model for classroom projects." --Booklist

"4/4… While Walters has offered his interpretation of the aphorisms’ meanings, readers will undoubtedly want to proffer their own… its contents obviously speak to a much wider audience, including adults. Highly Recommended.” --CM Magazine

"Colourful and bold typography with extremely minimal text—some of the aphorisms are only three words long—will instantly appeal to young and reluctant readers." --Quill & QuireEric Walters’s young adult novels have won numerous awards, including the Silver Birch, Blue Heron, Red Maple, Snow Willow, and Ruth Schwartz Awards, and have received honors from UNESCO’s international award for Literature in the Service of Tolerance. He lives in Mississauga, Ontario.