Saturday Magic: Celebrating Ancestral Wisdom and Black Spirituality in Children's Literature with Nyasha Williams and Kenda Bell-Spruill

Join us for an enlightening conversation with Nyasha Williams and
Kenda Bell-Spruill, co-authors of Saturday Magic: A Hoodoo Story
(Running Press Kids). This mother-in-love and daughter-in-love
duo discuss their collaboration on this groundbreaking picture
book that introduces young readers to African diasporic spiritual
practices and ancestral connections.


Discover the inspiration behind their story, the importance of
representation in children's literature, and how Saturday Magic
aims to foster pride in cultural heritage. The authors share
personal insights into their creative process, the significance
of dreams in African American culture, and their hopes for
expanding diverse narratives in children's media.


This episode offers a deep dive into the power of
intergenerational storytelling and the magic of connecting with
one's ancestors, providing valuable perspectives for parents,
educators, and anyone interested in diverse children's
literature.





Transcription: You can read the
transcription on The Children's Book Review.


Order Copies: Saturday Magic on
⁠⁠⁠⁠Amazon⁠⁠⁠⁠ and ⁠⁠⁠⁠Bookshop.org⁠⁠⁠⁠.


Resources:


Visit Nyasha Williams online:
https://www.nyashawilliams.online

Visit Kenda Bell online: https://pensight.com/x/kendabell

Subscribe to Nyasha's Substack:
https://nyashawilliams.substack.com/

Support Nyasha's vision for Fire + Honey Press:
https://www.gofundme.com/f/revolutionizing-publishing-fire-honey-press

How Watermelons Became a Racist Trope:
https://nyashawilliams.substack.com/p/how-watermelons-became-a-racist-trope

Grandma Rose's Watermelon Salad:
https://nyashawilliams.substack.com/p/grandma-roses-watermelon-salad






Nyasha Williams and Kenda Bell-Spruill Talk
About:


The inspiration behind writing Saturday Magic: A Hoodoo Story

The importance of representation in children's literature

Kenda and Nyasha's experiences as readers and how it shaped
their writing

Introduction to Hoodoo practices and African ancestral
traditions

The significance of dreams in African American culture and
spirituality

How to connect with ancestors and build stronger ancestral
relationships

Critique of current representation of Black characters in
Disney films and animation

The process of collaborating as mother-in-law and
daughter-in-law

Nyasha's new publishing company, Fire + Honey Press, and its
mission

How Saturday Magic: A Hoodoo Story can foster pride and
connection to ancestral roots for young Black readers