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Sarawak State Library

Read.Innovate.Excel

Zora, the Story Keeper

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Call no.
: 823.92 WIL
Author
: Ebony Joy Wilkins
Contributor
: Rozana Octovia Anak Raymond Umpu
Summary
Zora, the Story Keeper by Ebony Joy Wilkins, illustrated by Dare Coulter, is a beautifully woven picture book that celebrates family, memory, and the power of storytelling. Centered on young Zora and her beloved Aunt Bea—an effervescent storyteller who dons costumes to bring ancestors’ stories to life—the tale captures the warm ritual of sharing and enacting family history . As we witness Aunt Bea’s decline and eventual passing, Zora's gentle takeover of the storytelling role marks a poignant rite of passage and continuity, offering hope amid loss. Coulter’s mixed‑media illustrations glow with emotional richness and the inclusion of real photographs adds a grounding, intimate touch. The story offers both a heartfelt tribute to Black multigenerational legacy and a thoughtful exploration of grief through a child’s perspective. Ideal for ages 4–8, this tender, hopeful book gently imparts that stories—and the love behind them—carry on beyond those who tell them.