I'LL SEE YOU IN IJEBU

Eight-year-old Olu visits her mother’s family in Ijebu, Nigeria, as they observe Eid al-Adha.

Olu travels from Lagos with her mother, her uncle, and her siblings for the Muslim holiday. Although her family is Catholic, like many Nigerians, her extended family includes members of other faiths, who celebrate their respective traditions together. Olu is excited because this year she will get to help her grandmother Iya Akin cook the feast. The trip is filled with the sights and sounds of Nigeria: “Smells of crunchy dundun and sweet puff puff frying fill the air.” “Impatient drivers honk and honk. / Street hawkers walk and hawk.” “Roads marked with black-and-white lane dividers / Make the highway look like racing zebras.” When Olu arrives, her grandfather chants a Yoruba greeting: “Olubunmi! My gift from God! / Daughter of Akinpelumi! / Descendant of Asemperi! / Born of Ondo soil! / My American child!” And so begins the visit, full of traditional foods and celebrations, which are described in vivid detail. Vibrant, rich illustrations make use of flat colors and complement the sensorial text, bringing to life the energy of Nigeria. In their author’s and illustrator’s notes, Emenanjo and Ejaita share their personal inspirations and connections to the story.

A loving embrace of faith and family and a wonderful window into Nigerian culture.