Illustration of a young girl from Liberia standing with arms crossed in front of a rural scene, with palm trees, painted houses, and a river at sunset, promoting children's stories highlighting Liberian culture and heritage.

The Country Cloth Kids

Nyene-Plu's First Friend

Book One in The Country Cloth Kids Series

A heartwarming story about courage, friendship, and belonging.

Nyene-Plu has just arrived in the city from her quiet village in Liberia. Everything feels new—busy streets, unfamiliar sounds, and children hurrying off to school. But sometimes, all it takes is one small moment... and one kind smile... to change everything.

Children at a rural school exchanging a handshake, with a school building and children in uniforms in the background, and a roll of blue plaid cloth in the sky.
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Discover Liberia Through Stories

Children in Liberia—and children around the world—will discover stories of friendship, curiosity, kindness, and belonging.

Through these stories, readers are invited to discover the beauty, history, cultures, and traditions of Liberia through the eyes of Liberian children—one story at a time.

Meet the Author

Educator. Author. Curriculum Developer.

Onike Sherman is a Liberian diaspora educator, children's author, and curriculum developer who believes that stories are among the most powerful ways children learn about themselves, one another, and the world around them.

As the creator of The Country Cloth Kids, Onike combines her passion for literacy, culturally responsive education, and Liberia's rich heritage to create stories that inspire curiosity, celebrate identity, and foster a lifelong love of reading.

Her work is rooted in a simple belief: every child deserves to see themselves reflected in stories while discovering the beauty of other people, places, and cultures.

Whether through children's literature, educational resources, or future curriculum, her mission remains the same—to help children discover, learn, and grow, one story at a time.

A woman teacher reading a book to a group of children sitting on the carpet in a classroom or library with wooden paneling and trophies on the shelf.
A woman is speaking to a group of children seated on a rug in a room with wooden walls and a fireplace. She holds a book and stands in front of a large framed picture of a young girl.
A young girl with braided hair, wearing a white t-shirt and denim shorts, walking on a dirt path through a lush forest with sunlight filtering through the trees. To her right is an old stone well surrounded by green plants.

Stay Connected

The journey doesn't end here.

Be among the first to hear about new books, classroom resources, school visits, reading tours, and future adventures from The Country Cloth Kids. Join our growing community as we celebrate Liberian stories, learning, and culture—one adventure at a time.

The Country Cloth Kids in the Community

From community festivals to hands-on learning activities, The Country Cloth Kids brings Liberian stories, culture, and creativity directly to children and families.

A woman dressed in traditional African clothing standing on an outdoor stage, speaking into a microphone, during the Afro-Foodie Festival, which celebrates African flavors and culture. The stage has a banner with the event name, a stylized map of Afr
Display booth with a large poster of a young girl in traditional African clothing, a table with a black cloth featuring the words "The Country of Cloth Kids," and an umbrella overhead. The booth promotes stories that celebrate friendship, culture, an
A booth at an outdoor event with a blue tablecloth that has the words "The Country Cloth Kids" printed on it. On the table is a small stack of books and a QR code stand. Behind the table is a large poster of a young girl with her arms crossed, standi
A group of children and a woman standing in a classroom in front of a colorful board with sticky notes. The children are smiling and holding notes or making peace signs. A large television is mounted on the wall and lockers are visible in the backgro
A group of young children with a woman in a classroom, posing in front of a whiteboard with colorful charts and a locker. The children are smiling and holding project papers, with a vibrant educational rug on the floor.
A whiteboard with a black border clutch is displayed in front of a bookshelf. The whiteboard has several colored Post-it notes arranged into sections, with some handwritten titles including 'West End', 'Courage', and 'Board'. The bookshelf behind the

Ideas & Perspectives

A teacher helps children write the alphabet on small chalkboards outdoors during daytime. A blackboard with the alphabet A to E is in the background. The children are focused on writing, with a tree and rural huts in the background.

Rethinking Sustainability in African Education

Exploring how culturally grounded, sustainable approaches to early literacy can build on the resources, knowledge, and environments already surrounding African children.

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Walking Into My Purpose

A personal reflection on finding purpose later in life, embracing new beginnings, and recognizing that every challenge, detour, and opportunity helps shape our journey.

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