Enfants des sables boutiques rapides par Efua Traoré (livre de poche, 2021) NEUF

In a remote Nigerian village, thirteen-year-old Simi is desperate to uncover a family secret ...

WINNER OF THETIMES/CHICKEN HOUSE CHILDRENS FICTION COMPETITION 2019

SHORTLISTED FOR THE WATERSTONES CHILDRENS BOOK PRIZE 2022

A joy of a book: rich, warm, powerful storytellingKATHERINE RUNDELL

A thrilling adventure bright with the gorgeous colours of Nigeria – glorious!JASBINDER BILAN

An excellent book ... rich in tradition and realism.HANNAH GOLD, AUTHOR OFTHE LAST BEAR

[A] beautifully evoked storyTHE TELEGRAPH

City girl Simi is sent to stay with her long-lost grandmother in a remote Nigerian village. Theres no TV, internet or phone. Not a single human-made sound can be heard at night, just the noise of birds and animals rustling in the dark forest outside.

Her witchlike grandmother dispenses advice and herbal medicine to the village, but shes tight lipped about their family history. Something must have happened, but what?

Determined to find out, Simi disobeys her grandmother and goes exploring. Caught in the sinking red quicksand of a forbidden lake, her fantastical journey begins ...

• A richly imagined magical fantasy adventure set in West Africa by a prize-winning new voice in children's writing.
• Introduces readers to Yoruba myths and legends whilst showcasing the wealth of culture, traditions,adventure, fun, joy, celebrations, music, pride and love found in Nigeria.
• Beautifully explores themes of grief and belonging.
• Efua is the winner of the Commonwealth Short Story Prize 2018.

More praise forChildren of the Quicksands:

Gorgeous ... an enthralling storyABI ELPHINSTONE

[A] terrific debut novelYABA BADOE

Traoré's storytelling feels almost otherworldly ... exhilaratingTHE TIMES

A stunning debutTHE SCOTSMAN

Full of secrets and mythsTHE OBSERVER