LET'S GO TO GRANDMA'S. Mariam and Simba's Adventure: Fun Lessons About Sharing, Learning and Being Kind.

Let's Go to Grandma's

Mariam and Simba's Adventure: Fun Lessons About Sharing, Learning and Being Kind.

Join Mariam, her brave toy lion Simba, and her cousin Jawadii as they visit their grandma (Bibi) in Tanzania. Through Swahili words, traditional foods, joyful songs, and stories of Mtoni Kijichi, young readers discover kindness, teamwork, and the power of community.

Let's Go to Grandma's is a celebration of heritage, volunteering, and the love only a grandma can give. Whether your family speaks Swahili or is learning it for the first time, this book is a joyful read-aloud for families, classrooms, and libraries that celebrate culture, connection, and the joy of learning together.

From Karibu! to Shikamoo, young readers are introduced to the beauty of the Swahili language in a fun and natural way. They will also discover words such as Bibi (Grandma), mwanasesere (toy), and kujitolea (volunteering).

With laughter, dancing, singing, storytelling, and plenty of family love, Let's Go to Grandma's encourages children to appreciate their heritage, learn from their elders, help others, and understand that kindness and teamwork can make a community stronger.

Perfect for children ages 3-8, this engaging story celebrates family, African culture, Swahili language, community, volunteering, sharing, and kindness.

What Children Will Discover:

• • The importance of spending time with grandparents and learning from elders
  • The value of helping others and working together
  • Simple Swahili words, greetings, and phrases
  • Tanzanian foods, clothing, music, games, and traditions
  • The history and community life of Mtoni Kijichi
  • The meaning of kujitolea-volunteering and helping others
  • The joy of embracing culture, family, and community

Let's Go to Grandma's is more than a visit to Grandma. It is a joyful journey into culture, family, language, history, and the power of kindness.

Zawadi Sakapalla-Ukondwa, a Tanzanian American children's author, international speaker, early childhood literacy advocate, and Co-Founder of the Sakapala Community Centre in Mtoni Kijichi, Tanzania. Through her stories, she inspires young readers to embrace curiosity, kindness, and volunteerism while encouraging families to celebrate the Swahili language, culture, and heritage. A devoted wife and mother of two, Zawadi lives in Maryland, USA. When she is not writing, she enjoys hiking, traveling, and making one of her favorite Swahili treats, vitumbua (rice cakes). Every book purchased makes a difference! 100% of proceeds support education and community projects in Tanzania. Her books are available in English and Swahili. Zawadi has been honored for her work in the diaspora, including recognition from Tanzania's former Minister of Foreign Affairs. Zawadi believes that stories should celebrate culture, kindness, and curiosity. Learn more at: www.authorzawadi.com

About the Illustrator J.D. is an award-winning children's book illustrator specializing in captivating illustrations, memorable characters, beautiful cover art, and print-ready book formatting. Having illustrated over 50 children's books, JD helps authors transform their stories into magical reading experiences with creativity, quality and heart. Outside the studio, JD enjoys playing badminton and spending quality time with family, finding inspiration in everyday moments.