How a birthday trip to Africa — and the work of Octavia Butler — led to a picture book

NPR | By Jason Fuller,

Sarah Handel

Published September 7, 2026 at 4:44 PM EDT

A 50th birthday trip to Ghana and Senegal sparked a new picture book called That You Are Here is No Small Thing, which guides children through Black American history.

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How a birthday trip to Africa — and the work of Octavia Butler — led to a picture book

Support quality journalism, like the story above, with your gift right now.

Support quality journalism, like the story above,
with your gift right now.