Waiting to Welcome: A New Baby Story from West Africa [Hardcover]

Readers are invited to a joyous cultural celebration full of delicious food, laughter, and love in Samantha Cleaver and Reuben Nantogmahs charming picture book, adorably brought to life by debut illustrator Bri Marie McNish.

In Ghana and some other west African countries, when a baby is born, the extended family prepares for a whole week to welcome the little one at a celebration called an outdooring. Andani can't wait to meet her new baby cousin, but a week is so long!

As her aunties and uncles prepare cassava, tuo zaafi, fufu, and other delicious foods for the outdooring, Andani will have to patiently (well, okay, sometimes not so patiently) wait to perform the most important job of all: being the first to greet the little one by name.

Samantha CleaverandReuben Nantogmahhave been partners of one kind or another for more than 10 years. Their picture book collaboration started in 2020, when Samantha asked Reuben for input on a picture book idea about a west African outdooring ceremony. Reuben shared his knowledge and insights, and their bookWaiting to Welcomewas born. Now, Samantha and Reuben write stories that help them share and celebrate their kids bicultural Ghanaian-American family, traditions, and community. Outside of writing, Samantha and Reuben have four kids, and enjoy exploring local greenways, cooking, and watching Japanese TV with their kids.

Bri Marie McNishis a self-taught illustrator based in New England. At a young age, she was instilled with a love of fairy tales and fables, and now she aims to create art that features inclusive characters and cozy settings she wished she saw in the media she loved as a child. When not illustrating, she has a deep love for black tea, romantic comedies, and especially her loud cat, Garfield.Waiting to Welcome