Golden Baobab Prize Shortlist 2013: Sabina Mutangadura's Seven

Sabina Mutangadura's Seven is the tale of Simi, who is uprooted from Victoria Falls to live in a run-down mining town far away.  Having left her best friend, the Immaculate Emma behind, Simi finds that new pals are hard to come by, especially if you are different.

The story, which has been shortlisted for the 2013 Golden Baobab Prizes for Early Chapter Books, tackles the difficulties children face when moving to a new environment.  Esi Sutherland-Addy, professor at the University of Ghana African Studies Department and 2013 judge for the prize said, "the protagonist of Seven is an engaging character."

Sabina, who lives with her husband and daughter in Harare, works as a full time writer of children's and young adult novels. Should she win the Golden Baobab Prize for Early Chapter Books, which is one of three Golden Baobab Prizes up for grabs this year, she will be the third Zimbabwean to do so since the prizes inception in 2008. The past two winners from Zimbabwe are Ivor Hartmann, who won the prize in 2009 for his story, Mr. Goop, and Mirirai Moyo, who won in 2010 for her story, Diki the Little Earthworm.

Bernardine Evaristo, Chair of judges for the Early Chapter Book Prize and author of the critically acclaimed novel, Mr. Loverman, called Sabina's story "quite charming."

"I am enormously pleased to have made the shortlist. Really, enormously pleased. What an honour and a privilege!" - Sabina Mutangadura.

To see the 2013 Golden Baobab Prizes shortlist, visit the website. The winners will be announced on November 13.

ABOUT THE GOLDEN BAOBAB PRIZES

The Golden Baobab Prizes for literature was established in July 2008 to inspire the creation of enthralling African children's stories by gifted African writers. The Prizes invite entries of unpublished stories written by African citizens irrespective of age, race, or country of origin. The Prizes are organized by Golden Baobab, a Ghana-based pan African social enterprise dedicated to supporting African writers and illustrators to create winning African children's books.  The organization's Advisory Board includes renowned authors Ama Ata Aidoo, Patrice Nganang, Jay Heale and Maya Ajmera. Golden Baobab is proudly supported by Echoing Green, Reach for Change, The Global Fund for Children and The African Library Project.

For further information, photos or to arrange interviews, please contact: Nanama B. Acheampong via info@goldenbaobab.org
Tel: +233302 265215
Website: www.goldenbaobab.org