Kantiga Finds the Perfect Name - by Mabel Mnensa (Hardcover)

About the Book

Unhappy with her name, a little girl tries to find the perfect name, but with help from Gogo, her grandmother, Kantiga learns about her identity and where she is from.

Book Synopsis

This endearing picture book from South Africa follows the story of a little girl who, with help from her grandmother, explores her identity and learns to appreciate her name.

"There was once a beautiful little girl with a heart as big as her name, Kantiga. But Kantiga did not like her name." Hearing this, her gogo tells her a family tale of the magical clay pot that seems to be useless because it is cracked and broken. We learn how this flaw makes it more than perfect.

Follow this beautiful tale, full of color and folklore, as Kantiga tries to find the perfect name and on the journey learns a bit more about who she is and where she is from.

Review Quotes

"Kantiga does not like her name. It feels heavy and is hard to pronounce; she wants to trade it in for one that is fluffy and light: Candy. Kantiga tells her grandmother of her desire to change her name. At bedtime that night, Grandmother shares a personal story about a visit with her own grandmother years ago ... This story from South Africa features beautiful Black characters in colorful clothing. They interact in scenes set against peaceful pastel backgrounds. A good choice for story time with young children or for sharing as a peaceful bedtime story."---- Children's Literature

About the Author

Mabel Mnensa is an avid reader, poet, and writer. A lover of words and stories, she completed her Master's degrees with distinctions--an MA in English Literature from Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University (2010) and an MA in Creative Writing from University College Dublin (2022). Her published work ranges from children's picture stories to prose that explores alternate worlds and realities. Mabel's debut children's picture book, Kantiga Finds the Perfect Name was written, inspired by her niece and the stories she was told growing up.

Chantelle and Burgen Thorne are internationally published illustrators with over 20 years' experience in educational publishing. Avid bookworms themselves, they take great delight in the visual storytelling of picture books, art and text working together, every word and every image adding to the reader's experience. They also illustrated Wanda by Sihle Nontshokweni & Mathabo Tlali.