Zeinab Badawi plans African history book for children

Journalist and author Zeinab Badawi is preparing a children's edition of her African history book after the adult version sold more than 110,000 copies.

Badawi's “An African History of Africa: From the Dawn of Humanity to Independence” was first published in 2024. The new version, titled “Africa: History and Heroes”, will use simple text and illustrations for younger readers.

Badawi, who was born in Sudan and raised in England, is known for her work with Channel 4 News and the BBC and is president of SOAS University of London. She told AFP that illustrations were central to engaging young readers and said children should encounter African history early because it is part of the wider global story.

The children's edition will cover powerful kingdoms, trading centres, influential leaders and the continent's path to independence. Badawi said she wanted to challenge the idea that Africa had no history and offer readers a broad account shaped by African perspectives.

A French translation of the original book is being published in France on September 18. Badawi said she hoped it would reach new readers in francophone Africa.