A Review of local Children’s Books by Sierra Leone authors
On 10th May 2013, eight children’s books written by authors of Sierra Leone, and illustrated by home grown artists were launched by PEN SL as part of a collection known as Reading Sierra Leone Books. The latter is a collaborative initiative of PEN Sierra Leone, and CODE, a Canadian NGO supporting Development through Education for over 50 years. The books were printed in Abu Dhabi, UAE.
Regrettably, my location overseas precluded me from attending, but thanks to the President Mohamed Sheriff, I have now received a prized set of these books, which I felt compelled to review as a public `testament to the achievements of these illustrious writers of children’s books.
City Girl: written by Jacqueline Leigh, and illustrated by Christopher O. Parkinson is about a young city girl named Rugi who relocates to a small town where she feels awkward, and friendless. She enters a Young Entrepreneurs competition, and a local store owner persuades her to collect jasmine flowers for sale. An informative story develops in which Rugi turns an initial failure to win the Star Seller Prize into a study of the advantages of inter-cropping based on drawings by her friend Fatima. Helped by Fatima’s older brother Abdul they form a successful farming team producing much more jasmine in future years.
Tibujang must not come: written by Mohamed Sheriff, and illustrated by Simeon Sesay. A simple, but focused story providing children with several aspects of a brutal civil war including the attacks on property, and wanting looting and destruction that caused thousands of citizens to flee the country undertaking quite dangerous journeys that were subject to rebel attacks along the way. The author also captures the amazing interaction of citizens under attack especially the children in the story, Umu and Mohamed who resented their mother’s initial offer of rescue made to Tibujan because they believed they were better than him, only to end up regarding him as their true friend and even cousin after he repeatedly saved their lives during the precarious journey across the border. Not only is the story most thoughtful, and enjoyable, but also the quality of Simeon Sesay’s illustrations is extremely high, and easily the best of this batch of books.
Our Bird: written by Rainny Richard Ansumana, and illustrated by Sahr Ellie, is a delightful study of a clever selection of birds from across the world. In each case the name of the bird is repeated in Mende, Temne, and Limba together with their attributes and behaviour. Children will find this book a vivid source of general knowledge enhanced greatly by the amazing illustrations created by Sahr Ellie. The reader is also treated to an amusing entry about a flying aeroplane, a perfect bird in the sky, shown in our National colours, capable of carrying many things in its belly, and can fly from Africa to Canada. Children will gain a lot of interesting knowledge from this book.
Sia and the Magic Basket: written by Theresa Amui, and illustrated by Claudine John. Sia is a hard working child who hoped to complete school and go on to become a doctor. Life is difficult, and her prospects not so good after her father dies, that is until she meets Jango the man who makes magic baskets. The reader is introduced to a world of magic and fantasy that children should enjoy very much. Jango looks quite fetching in his striking yellow suit!
Amidu’s Day Off: written by Foday M. B. Sawi, and illustrated by Michael During who produced some choice pictures to capture the various aspects of Amidu’s mixed day. The story is full of valued lessons for children from the benefit of effort and industry in the classroom to the terrible consequences of truancy. But, for the adult lady in the yellow dress, the lesson was never to jump to conclusions in a rush to accuse a child falsely of a misdemeanour. This is a good story full of morals, that is well written and presented.
Yamah and the Tumbeke Project by Nathaniel A. Pearce, illustrated by Amadu Tarawallie. This is an encounter with a unique species within our fauna, the fireflies known as tembeke. In a country still suffering from a widespread lack of electricity, two friends named Steven and Yamah struck on the ambitious idea of harnessing fireflies to produce electric lights. Amadu Tarawallie provided some contrasting pictures to depict their activities both at night and by day, and children are reminded of the potential of practical Science. The friendship between the city boy and his friends in the village, and their respectful interaction with the grandmother add much charm to the story.
Gbargbartee and Tumbu: written by Sam C. K. Jarlwood and illustrated by Lycius During. This is folklore at its best that uses a simple story of the failed hunter Gbargbartee to demonstrate to the child reader the folly of boasting, and that it is wrong and doesn’t pay to deceive others. The choice of names for the two main characters conveys the model of “David and Goliath” to much effect.
A Hunting Trip: written by Ahmed Din-Gabisi, and illustrated by Julius C. Parker. Against the background of the well trumpeted domestic role of the African woman in Society this story will have an even greater significance to its readers. Musa and Brima could not contemplate a role for Aminata whilst they were in the bush hunting monkeys. However, after several days when they came back empty handed they decided they would allow Aminata to accompany them with some pleasing if unexpected results. In a big way, this book will teach children about the modern partnership with our women in Africa that will no doubt prove to all our advantage.
In sum, I am grateful for the opportunity to comment on such talent concerning the written word in our country. These authors and their illustrators should feel justly proud of their contribution to the literary development of our children, and we look forward to the continuing work of PEN SL and CODE wishing them many more successes in the future.
by Sqn Ldr Winston Forde RAF Ret’d
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