Kwesi and Nana Ruby Learn to Swim

2026 Charlotte Huck Award Honor Book

Bank Street College Best Book of the Year, 2026

★ “A wonderful story to show how it is possible to overcome our fears of doing something new by accepting help from others.” — School Library Journal, starred review

★ “The love between Kwesi and his grandmother is both powerful and empowering…” — Booklist, starred review

Kwesi loves spending time at the lake with his friends, but there’s one problem—he can’t swim. To his surprise, he learns that his beloved grandmother, Nana Ruby, can’t swim either.

When Nana Ruby shares the story of growing up in Ghana, moving to the United States, and experiencing segregation that kept many Black families away from public pools and beaches, Kwesi begins to understand why so many people in his community fear the water.

Together, Kwesi and Nana Ruby make a promise to face their fears. Inspired by Mami Wata, the legendary water spirit of West African folklore, they encourage one another to learn to swim and discover the courage that comes from facing challenges together.

This touching intergenerational picture book explores family, resilience, and the lasting effects of segregation while celebrating the power of community and cultural heritage. End notes introduce readers to the Akan people, day names, Adinkra symbols, and the legend of Mami Wata.