Storytime + Signing with Kobina Commeh

Bel Canto Books is delighted to host author Kobina Commeh, KWESI AND NANA RUBY LEARN TO SWIM for a storytime + signing at KUBO LB.

Kindly RSVP so we can plan accordingly. Please stay home if you feel sick.

This event will be held indoors at KUBO LB (3976 Atlantic Ave, Long Beach CA 90807).

E VENT SCHEDULE

1:30pm - 2:30pm - Storytime + Signing

1:30pm - Event ends

ABOUT THE BOOK

Kwesi is afraid of the water. When Nana Ruby confides that she is also afraid of swimming, they turn to the West African legend of Mami Wata to face their fear.★ “A wonderful story to show how it is possible to overcome our fears of doing something new by accepting help from others” -- School Library Journal, starred reviewKwesi doesn't know how to swim... and discovers his grandmother doesn't either! Can they conquer their fear of water together with the help of the West African legend Mami Wata?"How about we make a deal?" Nana rubbed Kwesi's head. "I will learn to swim, if you do.""Deal!"Kwesi likes spending time at the lake with his friends, except there's one tiny problem... he can't swim. But guess what? Neither can Nana Ruby! When she comes over for dinner one night, she tells Kwesi about when she moved from Ghana to the US and the history of segregation that kept her out of pools and caused a fear of water among many Black people."So I will never learn how to swim?" Kwesi asks. But Nana Ruby tells him they will call on the strength of Mami Wata, the sea creature of West African legend, to conquer their fears together. This touching intergenerational story teaches the importance of naming, acknowledging and facing fears.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Kobina Commeh moved from Ghana to the United States as a teenager. He is an avid reader who loved to scribble sequels to books he enjoyed when he was six years old. He was inspired to write stories for children while raising his two daughters. He still scribbles in his spare time. This is his debut picture book. He hopes to change the narrative of Black people and swimming. He works as a foot doctor and lives with his family in Long Beach, CA.

ABOUT BEL CANTO BOOKS

Founded by Jhoanna Belfer, a Filipina-American poet and former hospitality executive, Bel Canto Books offers a curated selection of fiction, nonfiction and children's books, organized around a theme of the month, in particular celebrating books by women and people of color. Learn more at belcantobooks.net.

ABOUT KUBO LB

KUBO LB is a creative community space for Filipinx, BIPOC, LGBTQ, and Women led small businesses. KUBO LB is a space to support and educate small businesses through retail, business workshops and more. Learn more at kubolb.com.

KWESI AND NANA RUBY LEARN TO SWIM by Kobina Commeh, art by Barbara Quintino

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