An enchanting collection of 12 traditional songs that pays homage to the rich cultural heritage and multilingual communities of West Africa and the Caribbean. Stories about children playing in the schoolyard at recess, sisters braiding each other’s hair at the beach, and parents dancing and singing late into the night mesh together thanks to the music. A wide array of styles—nursery rhymes from Gabon, lullabies from Cape Verde, rumbas from the Congo, work songs from Jamaica—are all performed exquisitely by men, women, and children in more than thirteen languages. Luminous artwork and homegrown instruments, such as the djembe, cavaquinho and Peul flute, round off this wonderful celebration of history, language, and culture. 

Lyrics appear transcribed in their original language and translated to English, followed by extensive notes describing the cultural background of each song and a world map. A free teaching guide and activity sheets are available here.

• CHILDREN’S AFRICANA BOOK AWARD
• PARENTS’ CHOICE GOLD AWARD
• NATIONAL PARENTING PRODUCT AWARD

“Songs in the Shade of the Cashew and Coconut Trees” will please everyone from small children to folklore scholars to world music enthusiasts – a gem of a book. MONTREAL REVIEW OF BOOKS

Readers will dance in their dreams. CHILDREN’S BOOKWATCH