Youth united across cultures creating solutions
for a better world!
In a village in Dogon Country, Mali, two sisters navigate change, memory, and what it means to hold on while moving forward. How We Hold the World is a tender story of love, loss, change and the strength found in family and culture.
“This lyrical and beautifully illustrated book blends Dogon and English as it takes us across a cultural and linguistic journey to celebrate the timeless heritage and practices of the Dogon people in Mali. It is a delightful read for both children and adults.”
-- Nsah Mala, PhD, award-winning futurist and poet
“When children learn about the lived realities of diverse peoples—not as relics of the past but as dynamic communities—they develop empathy, respect, and the skills needed to navigate an interconnected world.”
- Dr. Louise Derman-Sparks, anti-bias education pioneer
Set in Dogon Country, Mali, How We Hold The World follows two sisters as they move through a moment of change that reshapes how they understand family, memory, and belonging. Rooted in the rhythms of daily life and cultural tradition, the story gently explores themes of grief, education, gender, emotional growth, and the enduring bonds that hold us together. As the sisters navigate their shifting world, they draw on language, storytelling, and their connection to community to make meaning of what feels uncertain. Through their journey, young readers are invited to reflect on their own experiences of change while building empathy and emotional awareness. Designed for both home and classroom use, How We Hold The World supports social-emotional learning, grief and bereavement support and culturally responsive teaching. It offers a meaningful entry point into conversations about global cultures, indigenous language, identity, and resilience, while honoring the richness of Dogon heritage and the importance of ethical, cross-cultural storytelling.
