The Soot

When mysterious black clouds darken the city sky, one brave African girl discovers how to fight the monster of pollution. Join Chisom on a colorful journey of discovery as she encounters a mysterious dark cloud in the sky. What starts as a scary morning with soot filling the air becomes an inspiring lesson about environmental awareness and how even the smallest actions can help our planet breathe. When Chisom wakes up to find the sky darkened by strange black clouds, she’s frightened by what she calls ＂a monster＂ in the sky. Through conversations with her mother, her teacher Mr. Ogaga, and even the local newspaper vendor, Chisom learns about soot pollution--where it comes from, how it affects our world, and most importantly, what we can do about it. With vibrant illustrations that capture both the beauty of Chisom’s world and the concerning change in her environment, ＂The Soot＂ introduces young readers to environmental concepts through a relatable story. When Mr. Ogaga demonstrates how pollution wraps around our planet like too many blankets, Chisom’s concern transforms into a determination to make a difference. This engaging picture book ends with a hopeful message as Chisom plants her very own tree--lovingly named ＂Blankover＂--to help remove the ＂artificial blankets＂ of pollution from our earth. Perfect for Earth Day, science units on pollution and climate, or for any young reader curious about how they can help protect our planet.

Ayo Oyeku is an Ebedi International Residency Fellow and a Humanitarian Leadership Fellow. In 2015, he won the Ezenwa Ohaeto Prize for Fiction, by the Society of Young Nigerian Writers. He emerged as a finalist for the Golden Baobab Prize in 2016 and 2018. In 2019, he won the Association of Nigerian Authors Prize for Children’s Literature. Ayo Oyeku is also an international contributor to World Kid Lit and EuroLit. Asides writing, he loves traveling, reading to children, and sharing in-depth knowledge of children’s literature at literary panels.