Nelda LaTeef Livres

An Oprah Book about the power of proverbs, how they evolve over time, and the wisdom of various cultures in Africa.It has been said that a proverb is a short sentence based on long experience.Whether you are young or old, proverbs can open your mind to a whole new way of seeing the world. We underestimate children when we assume they are incapable of understanding metaphor and deeper meaning. There are multiple ways that children learn, but for each method by which they learn, they need their imagination engaged and their visual sensibilities ignited. And as adults, we underestimate ourselves when we allow our lives to be about practical matters only. Proverbs can stir our soul and spark our imagination. --Johnnetta Betsch Cole, Ph.D. President Emerita of Spelman and Bennett CollegesIn African Proverbs for All Ages, noted anthropologist and educator Dr. Johnetta Betsch Cole and award-winning illustrator Nelda La Teef invite children and adults to explore and reflect on complex notions about relationships, identity, society, and the human condition.

Animal Village, a children's picture book ,  received a starred Kirkus review.  It was named to both Kirkus Reviews' Best Books of 2018 and the Independent Book Publishing Professionals Group's Best Books of 2018, and received a gold medal from Literary Classics International Book Awards.Animal Village is an authentic folk tale from the Zarma culture of West Africa about a tortoise who saves her village from the ravages of drought with wisdom passed down from an "old story." Nelda LaTeef's colorful and strikingly brilliant montage of illustrations, in acrylic and collage, captures the richness and vibrancy of the sub-Saharan culture from which the story springs.The story is especially relevant to sub-Saharan Africa as it focuses on the devastation of drought and the importance of received knowledge. With its dual themes of wisdom and grit, the book happily entertains while it teaches the importance of hard work, humility and persistence as keys to success.

Amidst the devastation of a sixteen-year civil war in Lebanon, women emerged as pivotal figures in preserving national heritage and restoring societal order. They established schools and clinics, safeguarded historic ruins, and created poignant art that captured the collective suffering and resilience of their communities. Their efforts not only contributed to cultural preservation but also demonstrated the significant role women played in healing and rebuilding their war-torn society.

Speechifying collects the most important speeches of Dr. Johnnetta Betsch Cole-noted Black feminist anthropologist, the first Black female president of Spelman College, former director of the Smithsonian Institute's National Museum of African Art, and former chair and president of the National Council of Negro Women.