2 Books Published by Modern Manbo on AALBC — Book Cover Collage

As a Haitian American performing artist, my work has always been inspired by the ancestral spirits, stories, and traditions that shaped me. This book is my way of honoring those roots and sharing the sacred beauty of Haitian Vodou – not as something to fear, but as a source of pride, power, and wisdom.

Our Vodou is a love letter to the children of the African diaspora. It is a reminder that we are never alone – our ancestors walk with us, guide us, and speak through the rhythms of our hearts and the stories we carry forward.
—Malou Beauvoir

Our Vodou is a two-part journey through history, culture, and spirit — told especially for young readers. It traces the story of my Haitian and African ancestors, beginning thousands of years ago in the great East African empires of Kush and Nubia.

Book 1 — the first part of the book follows our ancestors as they traveled across the African continent, settling in powerful kingdoms like Dahomey, Benin, and Whydah in West Africa — places rich with traditions, spirituality, and deep wisdom. But it also tells the harder parts of our story. The slave trade tore millions from their homes. Yet even in the darkest times, our ancestors carried something with them that could not be taken away: their spirits, their prayers, and their connection to the forces of nature — to the sea, the thunder, the lightning, and the mermaids who watched over them.

Book 2 — the second part of the story brings us to a New Land, Ayiti — what we know today as Haiti. It was there, on this island, that African, Indigenous, and even European spiritual practices wove together, giving birth to Haitian Vodou: a beautiful, living faith of resilience, resistance, and healing.

Author’s Note

Color your way into the magical world of Our Vodou, where mermaids shimmer under the ocean waves, tree spirits whisper, and sacred serpents dance across the stars. Each page holds a story, each image a mystery—waiting for your child’s imagination to set them free. Enter the world of Our Vodou where ancestors and spirits lead a merry dance across land and sea, and animals speak the wisdom of the Earth.

Travel through enchanted forests, royal kingdoms, and skies bursting with magic. Inspired by the rich traditions of Africa and Haiti, Our Vodou is more than a coloring book—it’s a love letter to heritage, spirit, and the beautiful power of imagination.

This coloring book will take children on a magical journey exploring the stories, places, and spirit guides in Our Vodou: Book 1.

To make this journey fun for our budding artists whatever their age, we’ve included two styles of illustrations:

• For Little Hands (Ages 3–6)
  Simple bold drawings with large shapes and fewer details – great for young children still learning to color inside the lines!
• For Growing Artists (Ages 7–12)
  More detailed images with expressions, textures, and backgrounds for older children who enjoy a little challenge and love to tell stories through art.