Welcome Dede!: An African Naming Ceremony

This thoughtful book uses the baby-naming ceremony to give young readers, in text and color photographs, a glimpse at the pleasures of traditional African village life. Amarlai has a new cousin, and he can't wait for her to be given a name. On the great day, the guests arrive, prayers are said, the corn wine is blessed, and a tiny drop of wine is put on the baby's tongue as she is named. Gifts are offered, and the feasting and dancing begins. Everyone is happy, but Amarlai is happiest of all. In learning about this ritual, he celebrates his culture with the reader.

Ifeoma Onyefulu was brought up in a traditional village in Eastern Nigeria. After completing a business management course, she trained as a photographer, contributing to a number of magazines. Ifeoma's highly acclaimed children's books are renowned for countering negative images of Africa by celebrating its traditional village life. Her work has been admired at many exhibitions. A is for Africa, her first book, was chosen as one of Child Education's Best Information Books and Junior Education's Best Books. She has twice won the Children's Africana Book Award: Best Book for Young Children in the USA for Here Comes Our Bride! in 2005 and Ikenna Goes to Nigeria in 2008. Ifeoma lives in London.