A Kiss for Akaraka

About Richard Jackson

Richard Jackson is an editor and author. He says: Akaraka is a word in the Igbo language; a meaningful word to the Igbo-speaking people of southwestern Nigeria. It refers to marks on a persons hand that spell out that persons fate or destiny. At the time she  used it in 1997 my granddaughter Kelsey Albert then three years old couldnt have realized this. She liked the sound as do I for this story in which my role is played by her father. I am now a writer not a raker. Ive published seven books for young people among them This Beautiful Day illustrated by Suzy Lee and In Plain Sight which was illustrated by Jerry Pinkney and awarded a Coretta Scott King Honor for illustration. E. B. Goodale was once a baby who grew and grew and now writes and illustrates books for children. She is the author of Under the Lilacs and Also and has illustrated a handful of other books including Here and Now by Julia Denos and Goodnight Little Bookstore by Amy Cherrix. She lives and works near a tidal river in Massachusetts where she takes walks with bunnies by moonlight.