Esi the Brave (Who Was Not Afraid of Anything)

Gr 2-4–Esi is a young Ghanaian girl who goes with her mom and dad to the Kakamotobi Festival, an annual street festival in Ghana. Esi says she’s brave, but when she gets lost in a crowd of masked celebrants, she imagines all the participants as scary monsters. The story is slight but rich with vocabulary that evokes the symphony of festival sounds. Onomatopoeic and rhyming words appear in all caps. The font size is small. Illustrations are done in digital watercolor. Esi has natural hair and an expressive face. An abundance of colorful masks are depicted. Scenes often are abstract, with Esi lost in a metaphorical sea of texture. Artwork is colorful and chaotic, but clear, fun, and enjoyable as befitting a bustling street festival. An author’s note provides a little more context about the Kakamotobi Festival, but those interested in learning more will have to turn to other sources.