Zandi's Song

by Zandile Ndhlovu, Katlego Keokgale (Illustrator)

Overview

Zandi is a girl on a mission: to bring a message of conservation to the world.

Zandi was always thinking and dreaming about the ocean. Then, one special day, the ocean calls for her. Zandi tentatively approaches the water—and that’s when her adventure begins! She soon finds herself transformed into a mermaid and on an unforgettable underwater journey, where she hears the song of the ocean.

But there is something threatening this magical world. Is the key to protecting it buried in stories from the past? Join Zandi in her mission to protect our beloved oceans, in this inspiring story written by South Africa’s first Black female free diving instructor.

Revised edition: This edition of Zandi's Song includes editorial revisions.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781662520105
Publisher:	Amazon Publishing
Publication date:	03/26/2024
Pages:	32
Sales rank:	64,435
Product dimensions:	8.70(w) x 11.00(h) x 0.50(d)
Age Range:	6 - 8 Years

About the Author

Zandile Ndhlovu is South Africa’s first Black female free diving instructor. After looking beneath the surface of the ocean for the first time in her life at age twenty-eight, she felt at home and decided she needed to help make the seas more accessible and diverse. Realizing it needed to start with young people, Ndhlovu set up the Black Mermaid Foundation, which works to create diverse representation in ocean spaces—in sports, in careers, and recreationally. In 2022 she was named one of the Global Top 100 Most Influential People of African Descent. Follow the author on TikTok and Instagram @ZanditheMermaid.

Katlego Keokgale is a children’s book illustrator from South Africa. She loves reading and watching anything with magic in it. She’s also a wife and mother of two beautiful girls and loves sharing the work she does with them. She hopes to inspire many more Black creatives to pursue children’s book illustration and grow the industry, because there are so many amazing stories that need to be told. Follow the artist on Instagram @dopeladykady.

Editorial Reviews

“Vibrant illustrations use color nicely…. The encouraging text will empower many children to care for the environment. A stirring celebration of our connection to—and responsibility for—the natural world.” —Kirkus Reviews

“The spongy marine hues and flowing lines of Keokgale’s digital renderings impart an enchanted oceanic vibe that mirrors the book’s empowering takeaway, which an author’s note links to Ndhlovu’s work as founder of the Black Mermaid Foundation, based in South Africa.” —Publishers Weekly

From the Publisher

2024-01-05
South Africa’s first Black female free-diving instructor tells the story of a Black South African girl called to the ocean to become a mermaid.

“Your life is here.” “This is your home.” Whispers rush past Zandi’s window. At first, she’s scared, since she’s not a strong swimmer, but the ocean, personified as an aqua-blue deity named Maya, promises her no harm. Maya gives Zandi the gift of glittering mermaid fins to help her swim and a beaded bracelet to remind her of her heritage and allow her to return home. Zandi’s short Afro transforms into long flowing blue braids that evoke the memory of women in her family. Maya reminds Zandi of her grandmother’s warning not to throw garbage into the river. Maya has chosen Zandi to help protect the water and gives her a tour of the sea and its wonders. She tells Zandi that she must learn to understand the song of the ocean, shows her the impacts of pollution on the sea, and teaches her about the historical relationship between her people and the whales. Zandi returns home with a new song to spread throughout her community. Vibrant illustrations use color nicely. A close-up of Zandi’s bare feet in the sparkling blue water contrasts effectively with muted scenes depicting the effects of pollution. The encouraging text will empower many children to care for the environment.

A stirring celebration of our connection to—and responsibility for—the natural world. (author’s note, resources for ocean conservation) (Picture book. 4-8)

Kirkus Reviews