The African Studies Program is honored to receive a generous donation of over 1,000 African children’s books from Patricia Kuntz. This thoughtful contribution is a huge step forward in our efforts to build a resource collection dedicated to African children’s literature and grow the Children’s African Story Hour (CASH) program.
Patricia’s connection to the African Studies Program goes back to the 1990s, when she served as the Outreach Director. She played a big role in shaping the program’s interest in children’s literature. She worked closely with K-12 schools and teachers, creating opportunities for learning through on-campus teacher training programs, overseas experiences, and partnerships with public libraries. Her work laid the groundwork for our program’s focus on supporting K-12 education and fostering connections with educators and librarians.
She didn’t stop there—Patricia also collaborated with key partners like the U.S. Department of Education’s Title VI program and the African Studies Association (ASA), both of which continue to be important partners for our program today. She worked closely with Brenda Randloph who founded the Children’s Africana Book Awards (CABA) in 1991 in collaboration with the Outreach Council of the African Studies Association. As an African children’s literature reviewer, Patricia received countless books from publishers featuring stories from across the continent. Over the years, she curated an impressive collection that reflects the diversity and creativity of African storytelling.
After many years away from UW-Madison, Patricia reached out with her incredible gift. Her donation has transformed our program and supports our continuing efforts to highlight the value of African children’s literature. When asked why she chose to donate to us, Patricia said she believes in the work we’re doing and trusts that we’ll make the best use of these books.
Her gift is more than a collection of stories—it’s a testament to her dedication to education and her belief in the power of storytelling to connect cultures and inspire curiosity. Patricia’s legacy will continue to thrive through these books and in the lives of the children and readers they inspire. We are profoundly grateful for her generosity and the enduring impact it has on our program.
Kindly reach out to our web, collections, and outreach assistant, Tolulope Adelabu at adelabu@wisc.edu for more information about our African Children’s Books Collection.