“In this bright future you can’t forget your past.”
Bob Marley “No, Woman, No cry.”
The importance of our history is one of the reasons CaribbeanReads loves folklore-based literature and encourages readers of all ages to engage with this fun element of Caribbean history. Of course, folklore isn’t true, right? Continue reading
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The way women are portrayed in literature has evolved over time and in CaribbeanReads’ books, you find female characters who represent the diversity of characteristics that women, in reality, are. So today we will highlight some of the girls and women who play a role in CaribbeanReads’ literature- the characters. Continue reading
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The Talking Mango Tree by A. H. Benjamin and illustrated by Daniel J. O’Brien was launched on March 1, 2021 and the buzz has been tremendous. Here is how you can get your copy.
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A part of the journey to launching a look involves seeking out book reviews. So far, The Talking Mango Tree (available for preorder today; launch is March 1, 2021) has garnered many positive reviews, our favorite by eight-year-old Joshua Orr. Today’s reviews are from LoveReading4Kids one of the biggest UK recommendation sites for children’s books. Here are excerpts from the reviews received: Continue reading
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Since 2008, World Read Aloud Day has challenged participants to grab a book, find an audience, and read-aloud! It was initiated by the nonprofit organization LitWorld and is now celebrated all over the world including in many Caribbean countries. This year, with so many children not attending school in person, reading aloud to them and reading a variety of books is of paramount importance. Here are a few readalouds of our books. Enjoy them with your young ones and read a book to them yourself as well! Continue reading
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Traditionally, we have directed our customers to Amazon and Barnes and Noble to purchase our books. However, there is another option for our United States customers – BookShop.org.
A self-described ‘benefit corporation,’ Bookshop.org is dedicated to supporting indie bookstores and authors. According to the website, this is how it works: Continue reading
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CaribbeanReads is embarking on a number of new initiatives in 2021. A few of them are focused on providing our content digitally: eBooks and audio books. Continue reading
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Kirkus Reviews has selected the second edition of Musical Youth as one of Kirkus Reviews’ Best Indie Books of 2020. The news will be shared in Kirkus newsletters going out today and on their website on December 21,2020.
Carol Mitchell of CaribbeanReads stated that “CaribbeanReads’ books have received very positive Kirkus Reviews in the past, but this is our first starred review, so we are very excited. To have Musical Youth chosen as one of the top 100 books by an Indie publisher this year is even more gratifying. It is a wonderful book and this is well-deserved.” Continue reading
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| On Sunday December 13, 2020, the newest CaribbeanReads’ book, Traditional Masquerade of St. Lucia by June Frederick was launched in conjunction with the St. Lucia Folk Research Center. The virtual event highlighted was hosted on Zoom and attendees were treated to a compelling description of the importance of St. Lucia’s masquerades.
The moderator spoke of the dearth of books on the topic. Three Youth in Arts (YIA) masqueraders gave impassioned accounts of their experiences with St. Lucia masquerade and the reasons they loved it. The first YIA member to speak was inspired by the history of the masquerade’s African roots and the fact that the performances were one form of non-violent resistance by enslaved people. Another member spoke of how taking part in the masqueraders helped her to become well-rounded and more open to ideas. |
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| The author, June Frederick spoke of her passion for championing St. Lucia’s traditional masquerade. She pointed out that the only way to truly appreciate our cultural art forms is to understand them, and that children learn when they enjoy what they are being taught. This means that by publishing a book that explores the traditional masquerades and gives instructions on how it can be performed, she has provided an avenue for teachers to engage their students in the performance of the masquerade and thereby generate excitement and love for the art. |
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| Artist, Alwyn St. Omer, whose work is featured in the book and on the cover was present. He spoke of the richness which the traditional masquerade adds to St. Lucia’s Christmas. This tradition has all but disappeared and he joins with Frederick in supporting its revival. Jonathan Gladding’s work is also featured in the resource book.
The event was also attended by Mrs. Frederick’s family and Dr. Didacus Jules, the Director General of the Organization of Eastern Caribbean States, who spoke about the role of literature in generating national pride. Copies of the book are available online, in St. Lucia, and directly from the publisher, CaribbeanReads. |
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