Stories, more slated at Toledo coffee shop

7/18/2008
BLADE STAFF
Antoine Kabwasa
Antoine Kabwasa

Downtown Latte will feature the flavor of Africa tomorrow for a combination book signing and story-telling session.

Antoine Kabwasa, a story-teller formerly from the Democratic Republic of the Congo,

and his wife, Angele Kadima-Nzuji Kabwasa, an author, will be at the coffee shop at

44 South St. Clair St. from 1 to 2 p.m.

Kadima-Nzuji Kabwasa will sign copies of her book, Song of the Mermaid, the first in a series of three books of moral tales from the Congo. The book, illustrated by Toledo artist Jane L. Petitjean, will be available for $20 a copy.

Proceeds from the book will go to Mama s House, a home in Kinshasa, Congo, for girls who have been orphaned by the recent war. The second book will be illustrated by Toledoan Eleanor A. Hutton.

Also at the event will be Amadje Djogo of the Ivory Coast, who will provide tastes of coffee from growers in the region.