Akiti the Hunter is an award-winning children’s book series rooted in Yoruba mythology — recognised as the first African superhero series in US children’s literature. Created by Nigerian author and UN Peace Ambassador Denise Mobolaji Ajayi-Williams, who writes under the name Bolaji Ajayi, the series follows Akiti — a brave, powerful and deeply African action hero drawn straight from the folklore that shaped the Yoruba world. It is the kind of book that makes a child’s eyes widen on the first page and stay wide until the last.

Angélique Kidjo just made Hollywood Walk of Fame history — 68 years in the making. Here’s what her story, and the making of Akiti the Hunter, taught me about representation as strategy.

Akiti the Hunter Series Lands on Back-to-School Reading Lists — Ranking in the Top 4% of All Books Sold on Amazon

African Folktales for Children: The Power of Modern Heroes

How to Teach Kids About Yoruba Culture

Why Does My Child Need Diverse Books?

African Folktales for Children: Why Traditional Stories Continue to Inspire Young Readers Today

Why Does My Child Need Diverse Books? The Lasting Benefits of Reading Stories That Reflect Our World

Why Does My Child Need Diverse Books? The Lasting Benefits of Reading Stories That Reflect Our World

African Folktales for Children — Where to Start

We explored the inspiration behind the Akiti the Hunter series (Parts 1-3) and discussed something much larger: how we can equip the next generation to navigate the complexities of 2026.