Chez Alpha Books-Dakar
Cite Africa (Ouakam)-Behind YumYums
+221 77 5760784 / +221 33 8206359
Cite Africa (Ouakam)-Behind YumYums
+221 77 5760784 / +221 33 8206359
Welcome! Chez Alpha Books is an English resource and cultural center in Dakar, Senegal that provides the community access to diverse books in English with a focus on The Diaspora and World Literature. They also offer a lending library with 2000 + books for readers of all ages along with an array of programs and services that support English language learners. In addition, Chez Alpha Books host exhibits and other cultural actiities and has space available to other cultural organizations.
Celebrate Black History Month with Chez Alpha Books

Sometimes we all need to take a stand and these children's books tell stories of how different communities Spoke Up and Took
a Stand:
Viola Desmond: Won't Be Budged-
Many people know Rosa Parks, but it is also important to know Viola Desmond. In Nova Scotia, in 1946, an usher in a movie theatre told Viola Desmond to move from her main floor seat to the balcony. She refused to budge. Viola knew she was being asked to move because she was black. After all, she was the only black person downstairs. All the other black people were up in the balcony. In no time, the police arrived and took Viola to jail. The next day she was charged and fined, but she vowed to continue her struggle against such unfair rules. She refused to accept that being black meant she couldn't sit where she wanted. She is an unsung hero of the North American struggle against injustice and racial discrimination, whose story deserves to be widely known.
Fred Korematsu Speaks Up-
Everything changed for Fred Korematsu when the United States went to war with Japan in 1941, and the government forced all people of Japanese ancestry to leave their homes on the West Coast and move to distant prison camps. This included Fred, whose parents had immigrated to the United States from Japan many years before. But Fred refused to go. He knew that what the government was doing was unfair. And when he got put in jail for resisting, he knew he couldn't give up.
Hands Around the Library: Protecting Egypt's Treasured Books-
In January of 2011, the Egyptian people rose up against the regime of Hosni Mubarak. They protested in the streets and the protests sometimes became violent. The protests started in Cairo, but expanded to include Alexandria. The author was part of the protests in Alexandria. She heard about violence such as the burning of cars. The protesters were moving closer and closer to the library. The head of the library came out and said there was no good way of protecting the library. One of the marchers moved up to take the hand of the librarian. Soon many marchers stood holding hands encircling the library. They put their bodies on the line to protect the library!
Nasreen's Secret School-
Renowned picture book creator Jeanette Winter tells the story of a young girl in Afghanistan who attends a secret school for girls. Young Nasreen has not spoken a word to anyone since her parents disappeared. In despair, her grandmother risks everything to enroll Nasreen in a secret school for girls. Will a devoted teacher, a new friend, and the worlds she discovers in books be enough to draw Nasreen out of her shell of sadness?
Based on a true story from Afghanistan, this inspiring book will touch readers deeply as it affirms both the life-changing power of education and the healing power of love.
a Stand:
Viola Desmond: Won't Be Budged-
Many people know Rosa Parks, but it is also important to know Viola Desmond. In Nova Scotia, in 1946, an usher in a movie theatre told Viola Desmond to move from her main floor seat to the balcony. She refused to budge. Viola knew she was being asked to move because she was black. After all, she was the only black person downstairs. All the other black people were up in the balcony. In no time, the police arrived and took Viola to jail. The next day she was charged and fined, but she vowed to continue her struggle against such unfair rules. She refused to accept that being black meant she couldn't sit where she wanted. She is an unsung hero of the North American struggle against injustice and racial discrimination, whose story deserves to be widely known.
Fred Korematsu Speaks Up-
Everything changed for Fred Korematsu when the United States went to war with Japan in 1941, and the government forced all people of Japanese ancestry to leave their homes on the West Coast and move to distant prison camps. This included Fred, whose parents had immigrated to the United States from Japan many years before. But Fred refused to go. He knew that what the government was doing was unfair. And when he got put in jail for resisting, he knew he couldn't give up.
Hands Around the Library: Protecting Egypt's Treasured Books-
In January of 2011, the Egyptian people rose up against the regime of Hosni Mubarak. They protested in the streets and the protests sometimes became violent. The protests started in Cairo, but expanded to include Alexandria. The author was part of the protests in Alexandria. She heard about violence such as the burning of cars. The protesters were moving closer and closer to the library. The head of the library came out and said there was no good way of protecting the library. One of the marchers moved up to take the hand of the librarian. Soon many marchers stood holding hands encircling the library. They put their bodies on the line to protect the library!
Nasreen's Secret School-
Renowned picture book creator Jeanette Winter tells the story of a young girl in Afghanistan who attends a secret school for girls. Young Nasreen has not spoken a word to anyone since her parents disappeared. In despair, her grandmother risks everything to enroll Nasreen in a secret school for girls. Will a devoted teacher, a new friend, and the worlds she discovers in books be enough to draw Nasreen out of her shell of sadness?
Based on a true story from Afghanistan, this inspiring book will touch readers deeply as it affirms both the life-changing power of education and the healing power of love.
Here's What We're Reading in April 2025 !
A little bit of something for everyone with a mix of classics, new reads, and must-reads! Visit Chez Alpha Books Tuesday-Saturday, 10h-18h. We're located in Ouakam behind YumYums.
Tel/Whatsapp 77 576 0784
Tel/Whatsapp 77 576 0784
We're Here to Read
Talking about CHEZ ALPHA BOOKS
New Arrivals in the Lending Library

Inspired by the many Indigenous-led movements across North America, We Are Water Protectors issues an urgent rallying cry to safeguard the Earth's water from harm and corruption--a bold and lyrical picture book written by Carole Lindstrom and vibrantly illustrated by Michaela Goade.
Two great-grandchildren ask their grandmother 15 questions about the man they remember as Grandad, and the world remembers as Nelson Mandela, the global icon of peace and forgiveness who spent 27 years in prison. They learn that he was a freedom fighter who put down his weapons for the sake of peace, and who then became the President of South Africa and a Nobel Peace Prize-winner, and realise that they can continue his legacy in the world today.
The 1619 Project’s lyrical picture book in verse chronicles the consequences of slavery and the history of Black resistance in the United States, thoughtfully rendered by Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist Nikole Hannah-Jones and Newbery honor-winning author Renée Watson.
Register today for the Lending Library at Chez Alpha Books and get started reading.
Two great-grandchildren ask their grandmother 15 questions about the man they remember as Grandad, and the world remembers as Nelson Mandela, the global icon of peace and forgiveness who spent 27 years in prison. They learn that he was a freedom fighter who put down his weapons for the sake of peace, and who then became the President of South Africa and a Nobel Peace Prize-winner, and realise that they can continue his legacy in the world today.
The 1619 Project’s lyrical picture book in verse chronicles the consequences of slavery and the history of Black resistance in the United States, thoughtfully rendered by Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist Nikole Hannah-Jones and Newbery honor-winning author Renée Watson.
Register today for the Lending Library at Chez Alpha Books and get started reading.

Chez Alpha Books Newsletter
April 2021: https://conta.cc/3wXxgg0
View additional newsletters here:
https://drive.google.com/file/d/15db47zHPgziU-6qSVHDxj1d2lTLw79qC/view?usp=sharing
Chez Alpha Books-Cite Africa (Ouakam) Behind YumYums
Latitude: 14.7185264 Longitude: -17.486187
Latitude: 14.7185264 Longitude: -17.486187