February FOLD Kids 2023 Challenge: A speculative tale by a Black Canadian author

By Toni Duval

This month we are highlighting speculative tales written by Black Canadian authors. This is a broad category that may include science fiction, fantasy, horror, apocalyptic and post-apocalyptic, or alternative history stories. We want to encompass stories that look to the future while also recognizing stories rooted in the African diaspora. With the popularity of Afrofuturism like Black Panther and African folklore reimaginings like Tristan Strong Punches A Hole In The Sky, it’s important to us to highlight some Canadian authors you should add to your list.

Note: We’ve included a collection of trickster tales–these may be considered folk stories, but also operate as very real origin narratives in the cultures they come from. It was particularly challenging to find a picture book for this month so we’d love it if you’d share your favourites with us!

1) Black Sun, by Kelvin Nyeusi Mawazo (Young Adult Graphic Novel)

Cover art for the BLACK SUN graphic novel, showing a Black man with a dark beard with his hands outstretched and gold power surrounding them.

2) Metatron’s Children, by Chy Ryan Spain, illustrated by Sydney Kuhle (Middle Grade)

The year is 2130 and society as we know it has collapsed. Two Black non-binary siblings embark on an epic journey to ease the loss of their parents. Along the way, and with the help of a few friends, they unravel a mystery that very well may save what’s left of humanity. Metatron’s Children is an Afro-futuristic narrative of resilience, resistance, and redemption. This is Book #1 of the series.

Cover art for the novel Metatron's Children, showcasing various shapes and swirls against a black background.

3) The Pot of Wisdom: Ananse Stories, by Adwoa Badoe, illustrated by Baba Wagué Diakité (Picture Book)

Drawing on the rich vein of the African Ananse tradition, Ghanaian author Adwoa Badoe and Malian illustrator Baba Wague Diakite bring us a marvelously lively, witty and entertaining collection of ten tales about this spider trickster. These Ananse tales deal with the important issues that face us all — justice, money, food, marriage, vanity and self-respect. Sometimes Ananse succeeds and things go his way; other times he makes a fool of himself and is ashamed — but never for a long time. Many elements of these stories can be found in other trickster tales — those of African origin, like the Uncle Remus stories, and those of aboriginal American groups, like the coyote tales of North American native cultures and the jaguar tales from Central and South America.

Jonisha Lewinson

February FOLD Kids 2023 Challenge: A speculative tale by a Black Canadian author

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