Samantha Cleaver

Samantha and Reuben Picture Books

Samantha Cleaver and Reuben Nantogmah have been partners of one kind or another for more than 10 years. Their picture book collaboration started in 2020, when Samantha asked Reuben for input on a picture book idea about a west African outdooring ceremony. Reuben shared his knowledge and insights, and a collaboration was born!

Now, Samantha and Reuben write stories that help them share and celebrate their kids’ bicultural Ghanaian-American family, traditions, and community. Follow for updates about our picture books: Waiting to Welcome (MacMillan, 2024) and My Smock is a Story (Harper Collins, 2024) and more to come!

Active Reading

Samantha Cleaver, PhD, developed Active Reading while working with local community organization Read Charlotte. Samantha synthesized decades of research in read aloud to write how-to books for parents, Read with Me for parents of kids age 0-5 (co-authored with Munro Richardson) and Raising an Active Reader for parents of kids in kindergarten through 3rd grade. Both books give clear, concise information on how to use read aloud to raise kids who are strong readers and who love to read.