The Old African is a 2005 book by Julius Lester and illustrated by Jerry Pinkney.

It is based on an incident at Igbo Landing and is about Jaja, a slave who leads a group of plantation slaves back to Africa by walking into the ocean.

The Horn Book Magazine, in a review of The Old African, wrote "This is an eloquent visual expression of the heroism of the suffering Africans who were ensnared onto those vicious ships.

"[1] and Booklist, in a starred review, wrote "Complemented by Pinkney's powerful illustrations, this picture book presents an unflinching account of the brutal history and of personal courage, told with a lyrical magic realism that draws on slave legend and the dream of freedom.

"[1] The Old African has also been reviewed by Publishers Weekly,[2] School Library Journal,[3] Voice of Youth Advocates,[4] Kirkus Reviews,[5] Africa Access Review,[6] and The New York Times.