The launch of the prize-winning The Happiness Dress and Abigail’s Glorious
Hair took place on May 10, at the Kingston and St. Andrew Parish Library. The
launch was lovely; much thanks to all those who helped with it and participated
in it, and those who attended it. The guest speaker, Dr. Kim Robinson Walcott, made an excellent speech. It is published in Bookends in The Sunday
Observer today, along with covers of the two books launched, as well as other
book covers of mine. Thanks to Sharon Leach of The Observer for the coverage of
Kim’s speech and my books. Kim’s speech and the launch will provide content for
more than one blog, because she touched on so many things which impact the
writing and publishing of children’s books in the Caribbean. Quote from her speech: I wish books like
these were around when I was a child. I wish books like these were around when
my children were young. This is the type of material that we need to engender
pride in our culture and ourselves.
The headline in The Sunday Observer is shown above. I have
to thank Sharon for that headline. It is such an astute point of view, and changed the direction of this blog. Apart from the two books being launched, the other books highlighted on the page are
Island Princess in Brooklyn, Ebony and the Auntie of the Starlight, a Caribbean
Cinderella story, and Cordelia Finds Fame
and Fortune. I know that many of my stories focus on identity and celebration of ourselves, but it wasn’t until I read that headline that
I fully understood the variety of ways in which we can say "I am me and that’s
very fine."
Cordelia is teased because she is different from the other children in her village. She discovers that once you accept yourself the teasing stops, and that what is different about her can be what contributes to success. Princess struggles against having to replace her beloved Jamaica with Brooklyn, and fears she will lose her concept of who she is. She discovers that her self-concept will not be lost or replaced. It will only grow, and that you can love both Jamaica and Brooklyn like all the other Jamaicans in the diaspora, and that she can love her mother as well as her granny. Ebony, from a children’s home, proves children from children’s homes can be successful, and she escapes the traditional Cinderella story, by not only marrying a man worthy of her, (it isn’t that she has to be worthy of him), but earns shares in his spice factory, and trains and employs other girls from the home to work with her in the company.
In The Happiness Dress, Carolyne proves what she already knows, that it’s okay to accept that you reflect the Caribbean even when you are in another place, and she is the happiness of her Daddy’s heart. And finally Abigail! To quote Kim: Abigail's poufy hair is nothing like a Barbie doll's, but Abigail doesn't care two hoots about that. What a wonderfully self-assured little girl, in love with her own glorious hair, and by extension her own glorious self. You just have to look at Rachel Moss’ illustration of Abigail looking at herself in the mirror, to be assured of this. It’s a wonderful synchronicity that most of these books have been illustrated by the talented Rachel Moss, who is gifted at interpreting what the writer imagined.
Cordelia is teased because she is different from the other children in her village. She discovers that once you accept yourself the teasing stops, and that what is different about her can be what contributes to success. Princess struggles against having to replace her beloved Jamaica with Brooklyn, and fears she will lose her concept of who she is. She discovers that her self-concept will not be lost or replaced. It will only grow, and that you can love both Jamaica and Brooklyn like all the other Jamaicans in the diaspora, and that she can love her mother as well as her granny. Ebony, from a children’s home, proves children from children’s homes can be successful, and she escapes the traditional Cinderella story, by not only marrying a man worthy of her, (it isn’t that she has to be worthy of him), but earns shares in his spice factory, and trains and employs other girls from the home to work with her in the company.
In The Happiness Dress, Carolyne proves what she already knows, that it’s okay to accept that you reflect the Caribbean even when you are in another place, and she is the happiness of her Daddy’s heart. And finally Abigail! To quote Kim: Abigail's poufy hair is nothing like a Barbie doll's, but Abigail doesn't care two hoots about that. What a wonderfully self-assured little girl, in love with her own glorious hair, and by extension her own glorious self. You just have to look at Rachel Moss’ illustration of Abigail looking at herself in the mirror, to be assured of this. It’s a wonderful synchronicity that most of these books have been illustrated by the talented Rachel Moss, who is gifted at interpreting what the writer imagined.
And now, guys, you know how we wonder if Caribbean
children’s literature makes a difference, even though we, the writers, know
that it does. But how do you quantify it, we ask, to prove its importance to
others? Okay! I have news for you! One
of my friends bought the books at the launch for her grandchildren. She just sent
me an email and photo of her little granddaughter who wanted her hair let out for church this
morning, just like Abigail's. Truly guys! We have to continue writing. As Kim said in her address: The road is long but we have to keep on going. For the sake
of our children’s self esteem, we don’t have a choice.
Photos: top left of Dr. Kim Robinson Walcott, courtesy of Michael Reckord. Me, signing books: courtesy of Camille Parchment
Congratulations on the launch, Diane. I read Kim's excellent speech in Observer - hope it wins many converts. What boys' books have you written? They need some exposure, too.
ReplyDeleteThanks very much, Helen. I'm working on one.
ReplyDeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteInteresting! I did not remove the message from Francis Coke. I did not publish the first message which was from Anonymous. Then the other message, very similar to that first message, came in from Francis Coke. Since it had a name attached, and wasn't saying anything negative or idle, I published it. The machine, in its wisdom has decided to delete it. I do think, that in that case, it ought to take responsibility for that action and not say I did it.
ReplyDeleteHi Dianne where can i get a copy of your book Abigail's glorious hair?
ReplyDeleteSo far, it can be obtained at Bookophilia. I haven't had a chance to go around to other stores yet.
ReplyDelete