Tanzanian children's and youth literature

In July 2024, ASCL information specialist Gerard van de Bruinhorst bought 230 books in Dar es Salaam, among which a selection of Tanzanian children’s and youth literature in English and Swahili. Before the 1990s, this literary genre was poorly developed. The government focused on publishing textbooks for primary and post-primary education and could not allocate funds for additional reading materials for preschool and primary school children. School libraries were scarce and the few bookshops that existed attracted little attention from children or their parents, who did not have to purchase textbooks. This lack of reading culture among kids, combined with insufficient public funding, led private publishers to shy away from investing in children's literature. (Aiello Traoré 2010)

Since the 1990s, the Tanzanian government has initiated several donor-funded projects aimed at enhancing children's reading skills and supporting local writers, illustrators, publishers, booksellers, and printers of children’s literature. These initiatives have yielded positive outcomes, resulting in a significant increase in children's books published in Swahili, the establishment of new school libraries, and improved quality in publishing. (Aiello Traoré 2010)

The collection of Tanzanian children’s and youth literature accumulated in 2024 at the ASCL offers a glimpse into contemporary Tanzanian children's and youth fiction. It includes The pink bodaboda, which is the latest publication of Tanzanian writer and sponsor of the “African Teen Writers Award” Nahida Esmail. The book tells the story of Faraja who faces unemployment due to the COVID-19 pandemic. To regain her independence, she contemplates becoming a bodaboda driver despite opposition from her father, other drivers, and potential customers. The story follows her journey as she tackles these challenges to assert her freedom.

The collection also consists of children’s literature in the Swahili language such as the didactic stories written by Peter Goima Mwamwingila. His Kisa cha Panzi na Kunguru (The Story of the Grasshopper and the Crow) emphasizes the significance of good governance. It helps children understand the reasons behind Africa's civil wars and the resulting lack of peace and security. What further stands out is the number of books written for children by children (see Magesa and Makalle).

New acquisitions

Tumaini / Riziki Mohamed Juma. - Dar es Salaam: Dhahabu Publishers, 2024.

Georgina and the environment / by Georgina Magesa. - [Tanzania]: [publisher not identified], 2023.

Safari yangu ya kukutana na rais / Georgina Magesa. - [Tanzania]: [publisher not identified], 2023.

Who am I? : cat / H.D. Salla. - Dar es Salaam: MBIU Press, 2023.

Babu yangu 'Anajua kila kitu '-1 / G.P. Mwamwingila. - Dar es Salaam: Dhahabu Publishers, 2022.

Chifu Mtalimbo : kiboko ya mamba / G.P. Mwamwingila. - Dar es Salaam: Dhahabu Publishers, 2022.

The family friend of animals / Nesaa Nkwazi and Nkwazi Mhango. - Bukoba: Tanzania Educational Publishers Ltd, 2022.

Georgina in Zanzibar : my stories about adventures / story teller: Georgina Magesa ; graphics and illustration: Willy. - [Dar es Salaam?]: [publisher not identified], 2022.

Gian na Siafu / G.P. Mwamwingila. - Dar es Salaam: Dhahabu Publishers, 2022.

Kisa cha : Panzi na Kunguru / G.P. Mwamwingila. - Dar es Salaam: Dhahabu Publishers, 2022.

Kisa cha punda na pundamilia / G.P. Mwamwingila. - Dar es Salaam : Dhahabu Publishers, [2022].

Kumng'oa nduli / Emmanuel Mbogo. - Dar es Salaam: Africa Proper Education Network, 2022.

The life of a superhero : birth of a superhero / Quinlan Makalle. - Kenya: Pixel Ads Company, 2022.

Rafiki yangu kipepeo / Hussein Wamaywa. - Dar es Salaam: Dhahabu Publishers, 2022.

Sauti ya mtoto isikikayo kutoka msituni / Josephat K. Joseph. - Bukoba: Tanzania Educational Publishers Ltd, 2022.

Shughuli za kila siku za Anna / Dogobert J. Munywambele. - Bukoba, Tanzania: Tanzania Educational Publishers Ltd., 2022.

Mama's little helper / Charmaine K. Mrwebi; illustrated by Isuru Sandeep. - Thaba Nchu: Charmza Literary Club, 2021.

The sleepless ghosts & other stories / Mary-Apasiana Josiah Kiwelu. - Dar es Salaam: Tegeta-Kunduchi Plot, 2021.

Hadith za wototo binti mfalme na hadithi nyingine / Eric Z. Manzi. - Dar es Salaam: Chawa Bookshop, 2020.

If she were alive / Lubacha Deus. - Dar es Salaam: Mkuki na Nyota Publishers Limited, 2019.

Wangari Maathai / Emmanuel Mbogo. - Dar es Salaam, Tansania: APE Africa Proper Education Network, 2019.

Nyerere na Safari ya Kanaani / Emmanuel Mbogo. - Dar es Salaam: Africa Proper Education Network, 2018.

Sitasahau / Salvatory A. Kaijunga. - Bukoba: Tanzania Educational Publishers Ltd, 2016.

Pesa za mawe / Oscar Ulomi. - Dar es Salaam: E & D Ltd., 2006.

Mchezo wa Yai / G.P. Mwamwingila. - Dar es Salaam: Dhahabu Publishers, 2002.

Willy goes to school / Richard Mabala, illustrated by Paul Ndunguru. - Dar es Salaam: MBIU Press, [200?]

Willy the silly warthog / Richard Mabla ; illustrated by Paul Ndunguru. - Dar es Salaam: MBIU Press, [200?]

For free online children's stories in African languages see African Storybook

Scholarly articles on (Swahili) children and youth literature