A little girl named Alex is troubled and discouraged
by the cruel treatment of her peers. An insightful teacher, Mr. Jesse (Jesus),
comes to her aid, sharing knowledge, history and a higher perspective that
strengthens her to continue confidently on her way. He leaves her with a single
word of encouragement: "Zhakanaka".
Zhakanaka - The Word
$26.95
To order go to:
www.osvcurriculum.com click on
"K-8", then click on "Resources"
This is the story of Zhakanaka - The Word ($26.95),
the first of a three-book children's series (FOR ALL AGES), written by Sheree
Brown; her husband, Deacon Douglass Johnson, Sr. and Pixote Hunt, and
illustrated by Pixote Hunt. Zhakanaka - The Word, is accompanied by a musical
and delightfully visual DVD narrated by Sheree Brown and co-produced by Sheree
along with Celeste Johnson of CJ Artworks. Recently the book was presented at
the 2010 NCEA Convention.
The title, Zhakanaka, comes from the Shona language
of Zimbabwe and is a greeting that roughly translates to "Travel well and have a
beautiful life." Co-author Deacon Douglass, became familiar with the word
through his father, Joseph Johnson, Jr., who received the greeting from a native
Zimbabwean man while traveling in the southern African country in July of 1989.
The authors dedicate Zhakanaka - The Word to all
youth who have been victims of violence in our neighborhoods and schools.
The book is intergenerational and is meant to inspire people of all ages to
become active in effecting positive change in the lives of people throughout
the world. It focuses on self-esteem, peace and literacy. Sharing God's love
and seeing God in the images of others (Imago Dei) is a major theme
throughout.
Additionally, they have founded the
Zhakanaka
Peace Award and made their first presentation to Sister Helen Prejean
(Dead
Man Walking). Further, as a result of the Zhakanaka book, Deacon Douglass
and Sheree have founded the on-going national campaign called "Peace in the
City", which also promotes peace.
There is a Zhakanaka music CD, inspired by the
book, which includes original songs that further communicate themes of
encouragement, empowerment, and hope, and feature the song
"Jesus on the
Playground". It's called Zhakanaka the Word by Sheree Brown & Friends
($19.95). Brown, Johnson and Hunt co-wrote music and lyrics. Songs are
performed by Brown and Hunt, and features performances by guest artists
including Patrice Rushen and Celeste Johnson (who helped pen "Jesus on the
Playground").
The collaboration brings together over a half
century of experience and talent. Brown is an Emmy-nominated singer, an
ASCAP award-winning songwriter, producer, and performer. She co-wrote Kirk
Franklin's gospel hit "Looking for You". She produced the closing youth
rallies for the Anaheim Congress in 1992, 1993, and 1994 and wrote the theme
song for a young adult conference in the early 1990's. Deacon Johnson has
over fifteen years experience teaching English and religion at the
elementary, middle and high school levels, has experience as a campus
minister, is a permanent deacon with the Archdiocese of Los Angeles,
facilitates retreats and Bible studies, and is active with young adult
ministry. Hunt is a musician who has also worked at major film studios and
is an award winning director and art director of animation for over
twenty-five years. He has written a theme song for the African American
Catholic Evangelization Center in Los Angeles and has created artwork for
various projects in the Archdiocese.
The Zhakanaka book and music CD is distributed
by Our Sunday Visitor along with an intergenerational catechetical guide
called Finding Jesus on the Playground ($15.95).
Upcoming books in the series are
Zhakanaka - The
Truth and Zhakanaka - The Light.
To order copies of Zhakanaka the Word book and
DVD, its music CD "Zhakanaka the Word by Sheree Brown & Friends" or its
catechetical guide Finding Jesus on the Playground go to:
www.osvcurriculum.com click on "K-8", then click on "Resources".
