African Icons: Ten People Who Shaped History
Common Sense is a nonprofit organization. Your purchase helps us remain independent and ad-free.
Did we miss something on diversity?
Research shows a connection between kids' healthy self-esteem and positive portrayals in media. That's why we've added a new "Diverse Representations" section to our reviews that will be rolling out on an ongoing basis. You can help us help kids by suggesting a diversity update.
Suggest an Update
A Lot or a Little?
The parents' guide to what's in this book.
What Parents Need to Know
Parents need to know that Tracey Baptiste's African Icons: Ten People Who Shaped History is a thoroughly researched collection of short biographies of prominent and lesser known figures in pre-colonial African history. The book showcases the immense cultural, scientific, and intellectual contributions of people from every corner of the continent, with a view toward inspiring young readers to look deeper into the rich traditions and complex histories of a part of the world that has been excluded and ignored by mainstream historical narratives for far too long.
Community Reviews
There aren't any reviews yet. Be the first to review this title.
What's the Story?
AFRICAN ICONS: TEN PEOPLE WHO SHAPED HISTORY profiles a diverse array of men and women who made an impact on the ancient, medieval, and early modern worlds. The book is largely chronological, beginning in ancient Egypt and ending in the powerful Kingdom of Benin in the 1500s, covering a vast span of time and space. In between the rich biographies that structure the book, bestselling author Tracey Baptiste offers informative overviews of major shifts in African history, expertly explaining complex subjects like trade across the Sahara, the importance of the griot storytelling tradition, and the influence of African folktales. While some of the figures -- such as pioneering Egyptian physician and architect Imhotep, or famed fabulist Aesop -- may be familiar to readers, Baptiste also showcases a number of more obscure leaders and thinkers. Overall, the book provides a broad introduction to a complex and often ignored history that the author worries could be "lost forever" if students do not engage with it.
Is It Any Good?
This succinct and sweeping overview is surprisingly nuanced and filled with details and descriptions that bring the ancient world to life. Author Tracey Baptiste's writing is sophisticated but accessible, drawing from the latest research in history and archaeology. Full-color archival images of artifacts and vibrant illustrations by Hillary D. Wilson jump off the page and provide an eye-catching compliment to Baptiste's prose. The bibliography, notes, and additional resources provided in the appendix also offer a good starting point for further research for curious students and teachers, while the powerful author's and illustrator's notes explain the motivations of the creators of this marvelous book.
African Icons: Ten People Who Shaped History is an exciting volume that will appeal not only to kids already interested in African history and culture, but also may stimulate and inspire young readers who've had limited exposure to the deep and entangled histories of the continent and its peoples.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about the images of Africa and Africans in African Icons: Ten People Who Shaped History. How do they compare with how they're represented in media? Why do you think so many shallow stereotypes continue to dominate public perception of the region?
Why do you think historians have struggled to recover many of the stories of early African history? What might be some solutions to this problem?
Who are some modern or present-day "African icons" you can think of?
Book Details
- Author: Tracey Baptiste
- Illustrator: Hillary D. Wilson
- Genre: History
- Topics: Arts and Dance, Great Boy Role Models, Great Girl Role Models, History, Science and Nature
- Book type: Non-Fiction
- Publisher: Algonquin Young Readers
- Publication date: October 19, 2021
- Publisher's recommended age(s): 10 - 14
- Number of pages: 176
- Available on: Audiobook (unabridged), Hardback, iBooks, Kindle
- Last updated: February 17, 2022
Our Editors Recommend
-
Tales From Africa
These tales educate, entertain, and entrance.
-
Britannica Kids: Ancient Egypt
Multimedia, interactive content make history accessible.
-
Heart and Soul: The Story of America and African Americans
Beautifully illustrated account of African American history.
-
Bound for America: The Forced Migration of Africans to the New World
This book gives slavery a human face.
-
Ashanti to Zulu: African Traditions
An introduction to 26 African tribes.
For kids who love to learn about the history of Africa and the diaspora
Common Sense Media's unbiased ratings are created by expert reviewers and aren't influenced by the product's creators or by any of our funders, affiliates, or partners.
See how we rate