Courage Rediscovered
COURAGE REDISCOVERED
Sanyu Kibuka Ntanda ’98 takes some of her own seventh grade advice and bravely publishes her first children’s book.
BY MELISSA ULSAKER MAAS ’76
In 1992, seventh grade English teacher Gail Wolf challenged her class to write a book. She guided them through the process of writing drafts, editing, and producing their final copy. Sanyu Kibuka Ntanda ’98 chose to write a book for younger children, “Jama and the Search for Courage.” Jama is a 9-year-old boy living with his family in a small African village. His father sends him on a mission that requires Jama to summon all the courage he has to face whatever challenges he may encounter on his heartwarming journey. After spending 33 years gathering dust on the bookshelf in her childhood bedroom, Jama’s story was brought to life and published in February. Sanyu is a joy to talk to, warm, optimistic, funny, and full of laughter.
Q. How did you come to publish Jama’s story now?
A. It never would have happened without my mother! Ever since seventh grade, the story sat on a bookshelf in my parents’ home with lots of my other school projects. Last year my parents decided to downsize and move. As my mom was cleaning everything out, she found the book and read it again. She loved it so much, she brought it to a family reunion, pulled it out, and made an announcement in front of everyone about how I needed to publish it. The way she presented it to me was so encouraging and really made me stop and think about it. She could have just called me and said, “Hey, you’ve got a bunch of stuff in your bedroom, come and get it.”
Q. When you looked at it again and read it again, how did it make you feel?
A. I was really proud of myself. I was instantly transported back to my 12-year-old self sitting in Ms. Wolf’s classroom, and I felt elated. It had been so long, it was like looking into a different version of yourself and thinking, “Who is this person?” The rediscovery of this book has made me feel young and energized. After decades of being in the workforce and having jobs that just didn’t fit, I finally feel I’ve found myself and that there is a place for me in this world.
Q. In addition to Gail Wolf, were there other teachers at SSSAS who inspired you?
A. I loved Gail Wolf. She was tough and amazing, and I’ll never forget her classes. I also really connected with Upper School English teacher Nancy Schick. Both of them were special to me. And then there was Upper School French teacher Susan Rhetts. I’d been taking French since the second grade and did really well in her classes. She selected me to go on the French exchange program for ten days. That international experience in high school inspired me to pursue a bachelor’s in French and study abroad in Paris for a semester during college. Her classes impacted me for the rest of my life.
Q. Once you decided to publish Jama’s adventure, did you make any changes?
A. I did make some changes, but honestly, it is 95-98% the original story.
“Bravery is about doing things even when you’re scared and unsure. My hope is that the book will spark conversation about courage. For many people, facing every first in life requires courage.”
Q. What do you hope readers will take away from Jama’s story?
A. The book is about Jama’s need to be brave in the face of discomfort and finding the courage to overcome any fear. Bravery is about doing things even when you’re scared and unsure. My hope is that the book will spark conversation about courage. For many people, facing every first in life requires courage. The story explores this universal theme through the lens of a unique setting—an African village. By weaving a relevant theme into the fabric of African culture, my story should resonate with children and adults across the globe while celebrating the richness of Africa’s traditions, landscapes, and daily life.
Q. Was Jama modeled after someone you know?
A. Jama came out of my vivid seventh grade imagination, but I was influenced by a life experience right before I entered Mrs. Wolf’s class. I was born and mostly raised in Burke, Va., but I did spend two years (from 1990-1992) living in Ghana, in Accra, where my dad took an expat assignment. I went to the Ghana International School, where I was surrounded by African children. Everyone around me was young and free, childlike, brown, and from all sorts of different backgrounds. That’s where my head space was when I wrote the book.
Q. Moving overseas is a very eye-opening experience and can be a bit traumatic. Do you think subconsciously this book may have been a reflection of how you felt when you moved and had to face your own fears?
A. You may be right. I certainly would have benefited from and related to a book with this message. It may have been something I wanted to share with others to help them find courage when they are feeling fearful. Coming back to the U.S. was also a huge change. I experienced some reverse culture shock.
Q. Do you have a favorite scene in the book?
A. Jama’s parents promise him that when he turns 10, he can go hunting with his father. Right before his birthday, his father tells him he must “find a gourd, clean it, and pull a string through it,” to carry a supply of water around his neck while hunting. In the following scene, Jama’s younger, 7-year-old sister asks him why he looks so sad, and he tells her that their father has asked him to find a gourd and it scares him.
She says, “My goodness, Jama! How are you going to find the courage to climb all the way up the Jub-Jub tree for the gourd?” He simply replies that he doesn’t know.
I love the sibling dynamic, the trust between them, and feel it will resonate with everyone who feels most comfortable going to a sibling first when they have a problem. And I like that a younger person is challenging an older one. I have an older sister and younger brothers who are twins.
Q. What was the publishing process like?
A. The first and biggest challenge was understanding how publishing works now, as the industry has changed so much. I had to decide between self-publishing or going the traditional route. As the goal was to get the book out, enjoy the creative experience, and honor my mom’s wishes, self-publishing was faster and easier.
Then I had to find the right illustrator, which I feel is critical because children’s books are so visual. I found an amazing husband and wife team who live in Connecticut. All they do is help people self-publish children’s books. The back-and-forth communication was the most satisfying, amazing creative process as we collaborated to bring the story to life—incredibly joyful. When I saw the cover for the first time, I was ecstatic and danced for two, three minutes straight! Then I thought, where am I going to publish this?
When it comes to choosing a publisher, IngramSpark is B2B, distributing your book to libraries, retailers and online stores, whereas Amazon is, of course, B2C, and the largest book retailer in the world. I ended up choosing both of them, but I’m really focused more on Amazon. They make it so easy for authors and the book is so accessible. I started the process in September and published the book in February. It’s been nothing but a beautiful joyride. I was very nervous as an artist and a creative soul to put something that is so personal and emotive out into the world, but my mother gave me the courage.
Q. So what’s next? Can we expect more wonderful books from you?
A. I have a series of five in my head. The next book will be my first time writing as an adult, so there is a little bit of pressure because I’m now a woman and a different person. All the books will contain universal themes, the same characters, and some new ones. Jama’s adventure will continue!