Antiguan-Barbudan Artist and Children’s Book Featured

Zavian Archibald’s art for Barbara Arrindell’s book Turtle Beach is the cover image for Collins UK Caribbean Schools 2022 catalogue.

It’s a good opportunity to remind you about this Caribbean line of children’s books in the Collins Big Cat series hit the market between 2020 and 2021 – during a pandemic, so no big launch events, but hopefully you’ve had a chance to check them out. Especially given that this is the season for giving and books make great books. They are (with reader or critical reviews sampled where I find them):

The Lost Sketchbook by Imam Baksh (illustrated by Stacey Byer).
Finny the Fairy Fish by Diana McCaulay (illustrated by Stacey Byer)
Turtle Beach by Barbara Arrindell (illustrated by Zavian Archibald)

This is an excellent read for children and adults. It is is informative and keeps the attention of the reader. Even adults can learn much about the early life of the turtle.The illustrations are colorful and inviting and touches on the issue of conservation and preservation of animals.

&

This is a lovely book and beautifully illustrated.

(sample Amazon reader reviews)

The Wonder of World Leaf by Summer Edward (illustrated by Sayada Ramdial)

The book’s  illustrations capture the joy and vibrancy of life in Trinidad and Tobago as well as the diversity of the people as Trinidad’s two major ethnic groups are  East Indian and African.  Other elements of Trinidad folklore are also touched on throughout the novel and will provide lots of fodder for conversation and further reading…well written, accessible and perhaps most importantly, culturally authentic.

(Nerdy Book Club review)

A lovely heartwarming story featuring authentic Trinidadian characters and dialogue. The book highlights the wholesome family values and powerful folk wisdom that have shaped Caribbean communities, but that aren’t portrayed enough in books and the media. The illustrations are so cute and serve as a mirror for young Caribbean girls and boys to see themselves depicted as loved, loveable and empowered to make a difference in their families and communities. Readers unfamiliar with Trinidad (and Caribbean culture more broadly) will learn a lot about the island’s customs and rich traditions. Highly recommended!

&

The detail on every page tells you the author takes pride in her work and her country, the explanations or translations for anyone unfamiliar with the words are easy to understand. This would be a great book for schools anywhere wanting to provide and encourage children to learn about a true Caribbean experience. 

(sample Amazon reader reviews)

Sea Turtles by Carol Mitchell
The Jungle Outside by Joanne C. Hillhouse (illustrated by Danielle Boodoo Fortune)

The relationship of Dante and his Tanti is warming…The illustrations by Trinidadian Danielle Boodoo-Fortune are glorious. My daughter had a wow moment when she saw the picture of Tanti. The illustrations really bring the story to life. Would recommend to parents who are wanting to support children to discover nature.

(Goodreads reader review)

It was a cute and heartwarming read. Can’t wait to pass it on to my young nephew and niece.

(Amazon reader review)

Colourful illustrations, descriptive writing and relatable Caribbean experiences 

(Instagram reader review)

How to be a Calypsonian by Desryn T. A. Collins (illustrated by Richy Sanchez Ayala)

Would recommend to any readers who love singing and dancing. My daughter composed her own calypso song after reading. We had lots of fun reading this book.

(Goodreads reader review)

The authors of the books are from various Caribbean islands including Guyana, Jamaica, Antigua and Barbuda, and Trinidad and Tobago; and the illustrators are all Caribbean as well.

As with all content on wadadlipen.wordpress.com, except otherwise noted, this is written by Joanne C. Hillhouse (author of The Boy from Willow Bend, Dancing Nude in the Moonlight, Musical Youth, With Grace, Lost! A Caribbean Sea Adventure, The Jungle Outside, and Oh Gad!). All Rights Reserved. If you enjoyed it, check out my page on Amazon, WordPress, and/or Facebook, and help spread the word about Wadadli Pen and my books. You can also subscribe to the site to keep up with future updates. Thanks.

On becoming an author of children’s books (but not a children’s books author)

Below is an excerpt from my guest post at Women Writers, Women Books.

Ironically enough, when my first book

The Boy from Willow Bend (a story about a boy though not written as a children’s book) dropped, I got hung with the children’s author label (even after my second book Dancing Nude in the Moonlight

dropped).  It felt confining to my publishing brand and my creative spirit. Publishing loves its categories and I wrote everything, as my writing and publishing record since continues to illustrate. And yet I was excited to receive recently an invitation to participate in a children’s book panel at a major American book fair. The publishing gods have a sense of humor because here I am embracing a label I worked for years to shake.

Part of the reason I wrote my first children’s story

was so that I could have a story of my own to read when I attended events (‘children’s author’ Joanne C. Hillhouse had no age appropriate material) – it was a branding (or rather lack-of-branding) issue. Reading an early draft of that first children’s story to children (once during a school visit, once at the children’s reading club with which I volunteered) and editing it based on their reaction actually helped me get it to a pretty publishable place (children at that impulse st/age don’t know to be polite, they just react). So that when I saw a publisher call for material for new children’s books I had something to submit.

To read the whole thing, go here.

Good Tips for Parents of Young Children re Building Language Skills and More

Listed tips for building language skills pulled out below but read the whole post, also re what it says about reading aloud with children on subjects that hold their interest, I’m sure you can find something on this list of children’s books from and/or set in Antigua and Barbuda.

Language

• Talk with children while doing activities together to help them learn new words and ideas.
• Give them practice in following simple directions. They learn to listen and remember what they hear.
• Read with children daily. Read books, magazines, cereal boxes, or signs. Talk about print.
• Let them tell you what happened in a story or television program.
• Give children the chances to colour, cut and paint. These activities prepare them for writing, drawing and using computers.

As a parent, you are your child’s most important teacher. In fact, you have been preparing your child for school from the day that they were born. Everything you have done so far provided the foundation for your child to grow and learn throughout their lives! As a speech language pathologist, I understand the value […]

via Ready for School? Language and literacy can help — ACCESS Inclusion Newsletter

Best of Books’ picks for children and Young Adults

Best of Books, located on St. Mary’s Street, Antigua, is a long time Wadadli Pen partner. Right in time for the children and young adults on your Christmas list, they’ve put together a list of recommendations that’s a blend of bookstore picks based on demand (i.e. sales) and customer interest (i.e. requests). We’re sharing that list for your interest, and in the hopes that whether you’re in Antigua or not, you’ll check them out (for those not in Antigua, we’re providing online retailer links where available; but remember to support your independent book store wherever you are). I’ll also insert either a review excerpt or little snippet of the selected books where I can find them, just to whet your appetite. That’s it, preamble done; here’re the Best Books Top 12 Caribbean Children’s Books for 2014 (organized by age):

1.

Caribbean Alphabet by Frane’ Lessac w/Mark Greenwood (age 2 – 5)

“Each picture has its own little narrative on this celebratory island tour–fun, fluid and imaginative.” – Publishers Weekly

2.

Tiny Bird by Iris Josiah (ages 3 – 6)

“I bought this for my great niece, who lives in Brooklyn. It is very well written and the illustrations are so colourful. I’m sure she will enjoy reading it.” – reader review

3.

Antigua My Antigua by Barbara Arrindell with illustrator Edison Liburd (ages 4-8)

“Antigua My Antigua is a colouring and activity book for children. Some have however already described it as a collector’s item for all Antiguans and visitors to Antigua.” – from the book summary

4.

Shadows on the Moon by Jolyon Byerley with illustrator Katie Shears (ages 5 – 8)

“On an island in the Caribbean Sea lives a lizard with an amazing tail… This is an adventure story for both children and adults alike.” – from the book summary

5.

Anancy and Friends by Beulah Richmond (ages 6 – 9)

“…a good read for my 6 year old daughter” – reader review

6.

Adventure at Brimstone Hill by Carol Ottley-Mitchell with illustrator Ann Catherine Loo (ages 7 – 11)

“well-plotted…worthwhile and appealing to its target readership of young persons.” – St. Lucian author and educator Nahdjla Carasco Bailey

7.

Trapped in Dunston’s Cave by Carol Ottley-Mitchell with illustrator Ann Catherine Loo (ages 8 – 12)

“A fun, informative and action-packed read that brings the island and the characters to vivid life. A valuable addition to the YA library.” – reader review

8.

The Legend of Bat’s Cave by Barbara Arrindell (ages 9 & up)

“I also liked the phrasing, e.g. ‘the Freetown Lakes’; that is such a typical Antiguan thing to say – I love it! Wish the stories were a bit longer though.” – reader review

9.

Cover design by Heather Doram

Boy From Willow Bend by Joanne C. Hillhouse (ages 10 & up)

“Hillhouse has managed not to make this just a ‘boy’ book. I quite enjoyed reading it and I think teenage girls will also enjoy the novel.” – the Trinidad Guardian

10.

Treasure House compiled by Barbara Applin with Veronica Simon and Tim Stevens (ages 11 & up)

“The stories were fun, and the illustrations engaging, and at the same time, I also learned a little more about Caribbean life.” – reader review

11.

cover art by Glenroy Aaron.

Musical Youth by Joanne C. Hillhouse (ages 12 & up)

“I am a teenager myself and I found it very relatable… this book kept me on my toes especially considering (I) finished it within a day!” – reader review

12.

Tales from the West Indies retold by Philip Sherlock (ages 13 & up)

“These colourful tales from the West Indies and Guyana are full of wonderful characters, including Mr Snake, Monkey, Mancrow the bird of darkness, and, of course, Anasi the spider and his old adversary, Tiger.” – from the book summary

Also from the Best of Books – other books that teens and pre-teens may enjoy:

My Father, Sun-Sun Johnson by C. Everard Palmer

“This book has inspired my daughter to read. She sat down and read the entire book. She wanted to know if there was another level to this.” – reader review

A Cow called Boy by C. Everard Palmer

“A Cow Called Boy is a humorous   and dramatic   true-to-life novella or novelette which can be enjoyed as a serialized bed-time story   read to pre-literate tots. It can be read   with enjoyment     by literate six-year olds and by still sprightly or physically challenged ,   bespectacled   nonagenarians.” – Jamaicans.com

The Cloud with the Silver Lining by C. Everard Palmer

“Warmth and colour fill this story of life in the Jamaican countryside before the days of electricity.” – from the book summary

Emerald Isle of Adventure by Rachel Collis

“Part travelogue, part action-adventure, this debut novel packs a wallop of a good time.’ – from the book summary

Sixty-Five by V.S. Reid

“New Day (1949), reconstructs the history of Jamaica, as narrated by 87-year-old John Campbell, from his childhood days to 1944, when Jamaica gained internal selfgovernment from Britain. The novel is written entirely in a version of Jamaican English, and interweaves episodes from Jamaican history with incidents involving individuals in Campbell’s family.” – Jrank articles

The Wine of Astonishment by Earl Lovelace

“Vivid glimpses of a village in anguished transition–stark, bitterly humorous, impassioned.” – Kirkus Reviews

Summer Lightning and other Stories by Olive Senior

“I studied this book for literature when I was in high school and thoroughly enjoyed it.” – reader review

Mario says…

LATINOPIA WORD MARIO PICAYO “CARIBBEAN JOURNEY A TO Y” from Latinopia.com on Vimeo.

“what I’m trying to do…is write books that are fun, enjoyable, colourful (and) relevant…teach lessons that are applicable to everyday life.” – Mario Picayo