Never Forgotten - Patricia C. Mckissack, Leo Dillon, Diane Dillon

When Dinga’s wife dies in childbirth, Dinga embraces his newborn son and vows to raise him himself. He calls on the Mother Elements, Earth, Fire, Water, and Wind, to help him. Musafa grows tall and strong, but is captured in the slave trade. Dinga mourns and begs the Mother Elements to find his son. Musafa is one of the lost ones, gone, but Never Forgotten (Schwartz & Wade, $18.99). Patricia McKissack’s original story, told in verse and powerfully illustrated by Leo and Diane Dillon, blends elements of African history and folktales with a Caribbean legend. Ages 10 and up. HWP