Vanessa Fisher Releases Book Celebrating Sierra Leone’s Heritage
Vanessa Fisher, 34, has authored a children’s book titled I Love Sierra Leone, which aims to preserve her cultural heritage and introduce young readers to Sierra Leone’s history and identity. Born and raised in London to Sierra Leonean parents, Fisher grew up speaking Krio and fondly remembers her childhood visits to Sierra Leone.
The book follows twins Ballu and Abu, who learn about their heritage through stories shared by their family. Illustrated by Sierra Leonean artist Luseni Kallon, the bilingual book introduces themes such as colonialism and unity in an accessible format for children.
Fisher’s connection to Sierra Leone is deeply rooted; her first visit was at six months old, and she has consistently returned to the country. Her background in performing arts and the influence of the Black Lives Matter movement during the pandemic inspired her to write the book as a way to keep her heritage alive.
She describes I Love Sierra Leone as a starting point for discussing these topics with children, particularly those in the diaspora who may be disconnected from their cultural roots. Fisher hopes the book will foster dialogue and awareness about Sierra Leone among a broader audience.
After a lengthy process of collaboration and research, Fisher finally published her book in 2026. The response from the Sierra Leonean community has been overwhelmingly positive, with many expressing their excitement to share it with their children.
Fisher aims to continue writing, hoping to bridge the gap between generations and ensure the preservation of Sierra Leonean culture for future readers. The book is available on Amazon in the UK, Canada, and the US.
