Kwesi and Nana Ruby Learn to Swim

★ All together, this is a multilayered and rewarding reading experience….A wonderful story to show how it is possible to overcome our fears of doing something new by accepting help from others. – Myra Zarnowski, School Library Journal, starred review

★ “The love between Kwesi and his grandmother is both powerful and empowering, and readers will be inspired to see not only a child but also an adult naming their fears and drawing on deep roots to help the family overcome historical obstacles and personal anxiety.” – Elisha Brookover, Booklist, starred review

An informative and celebratory, multigenerational story of swimming. – Kirkus Reviews

“When Kwesi confides to his Nana Ruby that he is embarrassed by his inability to swim, she makes him a deal: if he learns to swim, she will, too. Surprised that Nana Ruby can’t swim, Kwesi learns about segregation—and its lingering consequences for Black Americans. Inspired by a story about an African water deity, Kwesi agrees to the deal. The illustrations reflect the geometric patterns and saturated colors of traditional kente cloth, honoring the history and heritage of the book’s Ghanaian characters.” – Foreword Magazine

“Writer Kobina Commeh shares a poignant story of resilience and courage across generations in the picture book Kwesi and Nana Ruby Learn to Swim.” - Chicago Book Review

“This story is based off of the creators’ own experiences. It even manages to talk about a lot of fun West African mythology (involving Mama Wati) who gives them the courage to learn to swim together” – Betsy Bird, Librarian, @FuseEight

A Bank Street College Best Book of the Year for 2026

“This is a beautiful portrayal of a grandchild–grandparent relationship. Kwesi and Nana Ruby have so much time for each other and there’s wonderful understanding between them. I love the way Nany Ruby shares her family history and culture and she’s a powerful role model to Kwesi in the way she triumphs over painful experiences from her past.” - JUNO Magazine

Kobina Commeh moved from Ghana to the United States as a teenager. He is an avid reader who loved to scribble sequels to books he enjoyed when he was six years old. He was inspired to write stories for children while raising his two daughters. He still scribbles in his spare time. He works as a foot doctor and lives with his family in California, USA.

Bárbara Quintino is a Brazilian illustrator and percussionist. She studied history, then architecture and urbanism, before realizing that what she really loves are the stories, the settings, and the connections to her ancestry. She has illustrated magazines, books for children and young adults, educational books, animations, and digital platforms around the world.

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