I created these illustrations for the Diapalante Education Centre inSenegal. They wanted culturally relevant illustrations to go alongside stories written in English, French and the local Wolof language. The Young Seamstress is a 'first sentences' book to teach children a new language and the French version can be found online here: https://www.africanstorybook.org/reader.php?id=35349&d=0&a=0

Bousso is a young girl of 17. She wears a veil and always dresses modestly. She works at Solalma Couture in Kaolack central market.

At festive times, Bousso works much longer hours at the workshop so that she can complete all the customers’ orders.

Bousso works in the Kaolack market, as a seamstress at Solalma Couture.

Bousso does her work well. She is a good timekeeper and is liked by her boss.

The young seamstress is highly respected by the customers who frequent the boutique.

The young girl dreams that one day she will have her own dressmaking business which will be named after her: Bousso Fashion.