Kariba - Paperback

About the Book

"Siku has always called the Zambezi River her home. She understands the water - and strangely enough, it seems to understand her, too, bending to her will and coming to her aid in times of need. But things are changing on the river - a great dam is being built, displacing thousands of Shonga people - and things are changing in Siku, too, as her ability to manipulate water grows out of control, and visions of a great serpent pull her further from reality and her loving father, Tongai."--]cProvided by publisher.

Book Synopsis

2023 ALA Best Graphic Novels for Children

The daughter of a river god, raised by a human father and bound to a tragic destiny. An African fantasy-adventure graphic novel inspired by the mythology of the Zambezi River and the history of the Kariba Dam, one of the largest dams ever constructed.

From the director of Aau's Song, a Star Wars: Visions film from Lucasfilm, and the director of the 2023 NYICFF award-winning The Smeds and the Smoos

Siku has always called the Zambezi River her home. She understands the water - and strangely enough, it seems to understand her, too, bending to her will and coming to her aid in times of need. But things are changing on the river - a great dam is being built, displacing thousands of Shonga people - and things are changing in Siku, too, as her ability to manipulate water grows out of control, and visions of a great serpent pull her further from reality and her loving father, Tongai.

When Tongai ventures to the Kariba Dam to find a cure for Siku and never returns, she sets off to find him with the help of Amedeo, the young son of Kariba's chief engineer. Together, they traverse elephant graveyards, rugged jungles, and ancient ruins, outrunning pirates, bootleggers, and shape-shifting prophets ready to use Siku to their own advantage. But Siku soon discovers that her father has been shielding a terrible secret: Siku is actually the daughter of the Great River Spirit, Nyaminyami, and the only way to bring about the necessary rumuko - a ritual which has brought balance to the Zambezi for centuries - is for Siku to give up the only life she's ever known.

With the future of the Shonga resting on her shoulders, Siku must journey to the source of the river to understand the ancient power hidden within her.

Review Quotes

2023 ALA Best Graphic Novels for Children

CBC's August Hot Off the Press

"Finding inspiration in fantasy, history, and mythology, the book combines those elements along with a Japanese animation influence, resulting in an exhilarating adventure.[...] The art is detailed and lush, with beautiful colors throughout. Of particular note are the gorgeous showcases of water, whether in stunning waterfall images or an underwater view of the river with sunlight dappling at the surface. [...] Kariba is a mystical graphic novel about magic, self-discovery, and the delicate balance between human ambition and the natural world." - Foreword Reviews, Starred Review

[A]n astonishing fairy tale [...] The art is utterly breathtaking throughout, saturated with sumptuous color, enhanced with stupendous details, vivid with energy and action. A 2017 Kickstarter campaign made this wondrous graphic title possible--it's a wow-inducing phenomenal gift to be treasured." -- Booklist, Starred Review

"This fast-paced work, full of daring acts and highlighting Siku's powerful voice, has a backdrop inspired by colonial history. The illustrations are reminiscent of an animated feature, with strong facial expressions and vivid hues. The varied style of the panels adds extra vigor, particularly when Siku is having watery visions, as the shapes and edges become fluid. [...] A dynamic, mystical coming-of-age story." -- Kirkus Reviews

"mythical and reflective...dynamic and full of action." - Inge Brinkman, Africa Book Link

"This is an African fantasy-adventure graphic novel without comparison. The artworks draw the reader into Africa in a stunning appreciation for nature. The use of language, symbolism and engaging dialogue helps to keep one foot of the reader in African culture, and the other in global myth. The creators - Daniel Clarke, James Clarke and Daniel Snaddon - have made excellent synergy of their talents and experiences, to offer the world a story that cannot be ignored." -- World Kid Lit

"This is a glorious young adult adventure hitting all the right notes. It's emotionally strong, has a viable quest, suspense hanging over that, is well paced and a respect for various cultures of the times is evident. Even allowing for the creators having experience with animation and television, something as good as Kariba as a first graphic novel really is remarkable."-- Slings & Arrows

"[A]nother stellar addition to Catalyst Press' catalog of African books published for North American readers." -- BooksYALove

"Deftly scripted, impressively illustrated, and entertaining [...] KARIBA is an unreservedly recommended pick for personal reading lists and elementary school, middle school, and community library Graphic Novel collections." -- Midwest Book Review

"The story of Kariba Dam is a story of colonialism. But Kariba is in no way a white savior narrative. Siku is her own agent, and forges her own way. Like other great works of fantasy, Kariba asks more questions than it answers. [...] Libraries interested in increasing their selection of African stories would do well to consider adding this book to their collections. Furthermore, you

About the Author

Daniel Clarke is a Cape Town-based artist working in animation, film and illustration. He started his career in animation in 2008 at Triggerfish Animation Studios, a collaboration that has lasted up until today and has seen him act as Production Designer and Art director on projects such as the feature film Khumba, BBC's Stick Man and Snail and the Whale. As an illustrator and designer he has worked, amongst others, with clients such as Netflix, Animal Logic, The Line, National Geographic Kids, Nike, Adidas, and Penguin Random House. Daniel has worked as an illustrator and art director for international feature films such as Chronicle (Josh Trank, 2012); The Giver (Philip Noyce, 2014); and Chappie (Neil Blomkamp, 2015). Daniel recently directed Aau's Song, a Star Wars: Visions film from Lucasfilm, available on Disney+ in May 2023.

James Clarke was born in Cape Town, South Africa, and educated at the University of Cape Town, where he studied history and literature and completed his Masters in Creative Writing as a Harry Crossley Fellow. In 2016, he was the South Africa finalist in fiction for the PEN International New Young Voices Award. Kariba is his first graphic novel collaboration.

Daniel Snaddon is an artist, illustrator, and film director of Scottish-South African and Chinese-Australian descent, who grew up in Nelspruit, a short drive away from the Kruger National Park. He has worked in the animation and film industries for fourteen years, best known for his work with Triggerfish Animation Studios and with Magic Light Pictures' animated BBC Christmas specials. Among these, Daniel served as animation supervisor on the Academy Award nominated "Roald Dahl's Revolting Rhymes", co-director on the BAFTA nominated "Stick Man", and as director on both the Annie award winning "The Snail and the Whale" and the International Emmy winning "Zog". Daniel's most recent work, his fourth Magic Light Pictures Christmas special, "The Smeds and the Smoos", based on the book by Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler (authors of The Gruffalo), was awarded the Audience Award at the New York International Children's Film Festival in March 2023. Daniel served as the founding director of CTIAF, South Africa's premiere animation festival, for 4 years.