How the Rivermaid Grew Her Tail and Other West African and Caribbean Myths

Discover a world of myths and magic in How the Rivermaid Grew Her Tail, a stunning anthology that celebrates the storytelling traditions of West Africa and the Caribbean.

Stories include:

• How George Grew Wings (USA)
• How Anansi Became King of All Stories (Ghana, Ivory Coast & Togo)
• Mango Heart (Jamaica)
• Why the Sun and Moon Live in the Sky (Nigeria)
• . . . and many more.

Author Jessica Wilson gathers lyrical, interwoven folktales that have traveled across oceans and through time. From Nigeria and Ghana to Jamaica and the USA, these stories have gathered new color and meaning along their journey. 

Each story is introduced with the country, people, and traditions where the tale originates, making the collection both immersive and accessible for young readers, families and classrooms. Paired with Sophie Bass’s vibrant, symbolic illustrations, this anthology immerses readers in the colors, foods, landscapes, and characters of West Africa and the Caribbean. 

Told through authentic voices, this book is created by author Jessica Wilson, who has Jamaican heritage, and illustrator Sophie Bass, who has Trinidadian heritage. With its cultural richness and celebration of ancestral heritage, this anthology creates a safe, joyful space for children to see themselves represented.