Cam and the Star Fam: Magic With Marie Laveau – A Time-Travel Kids’ Book About Unity & Ancestry

When three siblings from Cape Town—Cam (8), Alexis (7), and Bianca (5)—build an ancestral altar to connect with their roots, they don’t just feel closer to their ancestor Zulu…they time-travel. From a New York playground lesson on honoring your ancestors to 1800s New Orleans with the legendary Marie Laveau, the Star fam learns that true power isn’t stage tricks—it’s purpose, guidance, and unity.

With courage (and a little divination), the trio helps Marie expose a plot to poison fruit, feeds a hungry community, and discovers firsthand that we’re stronger together. Back home, under a blanket of stars, Zulu’s final message ties it all together: energy is never destroyed, and the love of our ancestors guides us always.

CAM AND THE STAR FAM: Magic With Marie Laveau blends fast-moving adventure with cultural pride—from Zulu traditions and Nguni language to South African foods like braais and vetkoek—making it a powerful, heart-forward read for families and classrooms.

Why you’ll love it

• ✨ Meaningful magic: Ancestral connection and divination presented as guidance and purpose.
• 🤝 Character education: Teamwork, empathy, repairing after anger, serving your community.
• 🗺️ Time-travel history: A kid-friendly window into New Orleans in the 1800s and the figure of Marie Laveau.
• 💬 Memorable mantra: “We’re a team! Star fam forever!”

Perfect for

• Ages 6–10 (great read-aloud from 4+)
• Families, classrooms, homeschool, libraries
• Units on culture, diaspora, SEL (teamwork & emotional regulation), community service

What kids learn

• How traditions (like ancestral altars) can support identity and purpose
• The difference between tricks and truth-seeking (divination as listening, learning, and guidance)
• That unity and courage change lives—together we move “giant rocks”

Content note for caregivers/educators (transparent & helpful)

• Includes a positive portrayal of ancestral practices and Marie Laveau/voodoo in historical context.
• Brief peril involving poisoned fruit; antagonist is turned to stone (non-graphic).
• Dialogue includes a critique that school/religion can hide knowledge; use to spark open discussion.

Series

• Part of the Cam and the Star Fam adventures. Motto: “We’re a team! Star fam forever!”

Author

• Sancho Bean