What marks a children's book as Caribbean?

I have a question today. Apart from settting, what marks a children's book as Caribbean? Is there anything that distinguishes our writing from children's books elsewhere?
Could it be the images of a boy on a donkey? calypso, carnivals/festivals, Jon kunnu, our various ghosts/duppies and folk creatures, Anansi stories, sun, sea and sand - You can add to this list. Are we limited to these images? More on this later. Meanwhile check Diane Brown's blog at http://dianebrowneblog.blogspot.com/

PERHAPS YOU CAN HELP

I am looking for a group/company/individual to sponsor the purchase of copies of my book Bernie and the Captain's Ghost to give to schools for the handicapped and children's homes here in Jamaica. This adventure story is about a group of orphaned handicapped children getting involved in a mystery/adventure which leads to a better life for them. I believe it is empowering for handicapped children since they are rarely the heroes of story books. Here's a comment from a librarian
"This children's story is well-written.The suspense is captivating and the plot realistic. It is a true-to- life mystery that the reader himself is eager to solve. Thank you for this delightful addition to our special collections."
Scroll down this blog to see a description of the book
contact publisher Carlong Publishers(Caribbean )Ltd.
marketing@carlongpublishers.com
Tel 876-9609366#2
OR email me at shandycan@yahoo.com
The cost is US$9.85
Jamaican link
http://www.jamaicans.com/

Support Caribbean Children's Books

Okay - so I'm shamelessly using this blog to promote my Caribbean children's books(and some other Jamaican books). No apologies. How else you going to hear about them? There is not a lot of interest in purchasing Caribbean children's books.Text books aside, sales are sluggish. (Lots of knotty reasons for this) Even the diaspora doesn't support Caribbean children's books. Many persons abroad, conscious of the need for reading material in our schools, collect books and send to the islands- bless them. But, it would be nice if they would collect some funds for purchasing local books produced in the islands- supporting both our culture and our writers. Don't get me wrong - We need the foreign books, but our writers need a well deserved break too. And the children need to see more of themselves in printed material. so, what about it? Buy a book, nuh!



http://www.carlongpublishers.com/book_listing_subject.php?id=32

Mulitcultural Children's Books from Jamaica

HAZEL D. CAMPBELL'S CHILDREN'S BOOKS
published by LMH Publishing Ltd in Jamaica

All LMH books available from amazon.com

New children's book from Jamaica

Bernie and the Captain’s Ghost by Hazel D. Campbell

Caribbean Children’s Literature from Jamaica

When six handicapped orphans get invited to spend their summer holidays in a rural area, they have no idea how their lives will be changed. They land right in the middle of a mystery which leads them into some scary adventures. The captain’s ghost is at the heart of the mystery. But, was he really a ghost? Who was the mysterious lady who had invited them to her house, and why?

This is an exciting story for the 10-12 age groups. Check Carlong’s marketing department for information on the cost and how to purchase the book. It’s worth the effort. .

Tel 876-960 9366 #2

email marketing@carlongpublishers.com

Caribbean children's fiction - What to write for the boys?

I don't suppose boys in the Caribbean are very different from boys elsewhere in their apathy to reading - fiction in particular. I have two grandsons, one now 19 years the other 9 years . Both read a lot, but are not excited by fiction. The elder now out of high school did extremely well in all subjects except English Literature, the younger one seems to be going the same way. He reads the stories I write under duress. However he likes the Diary of a Wimpy Kid books. He explains at length why he dislikes 'made up' stories. When I tell him that the "Wimp" is fiction, he says that at least it is funny. He gets excited about books on sharks and cars and other 'boy' stuff.
So, the question I am pondering is - what can Caribbean writers write about to wean our boys into liking fiction as an intro to liking literature? A very important question as so many of our writers of children's books seem to be women.

The Cheshire Cat

MySpace Codes!

Lewis Carroll's famous cat which could disappear and leave only its smile behind was a terrifying creature to me as a child. But then, so was a lot of Alice in Wonderland

Diane Browne's Caribbean Children's Books

Two books for children ages 10 to12 years. Published in Jamaica by Diane Browne

DIANE BROWNE'S A TUMBLING WORLD... A TIME OF FIRE

Vanesssa and Kerry's boring summer holidays turn into an exciting adventure when they take a chance and test one of their uncle's inventions. The Time Mill takes them back into the past on the day that the dreadful earthquake and fire wiped out most of Kingston, the capital of Jamaica, in the year 1907. Faced with danger everywhere, Vanessa and Kerry discover that escape may not be as easy as they had thought. How will they get back to their own Time? History wrapped in adventure and fun – an exciting read.

DIANE BROWNE'S THE RING AND THE ROARING WATER

2^nd in Series

Vanessa and Kerry whom you met in A Tumbling World …a Time of Fire have another remarkable adventure in their uncle's Time Machine. This time they travel back to the world of 1951 to try to solve the mystery of a mysterious ring which had caused a serious rift between two close families. While there, they are overtaken by Hurricane Charlie, one of the deadliest hurricanes to hit Jamaica in the 20th century. Will they survive and return to their own world? There are lots of thrilling moments as the girls meet a weird family of quarrelsome children, are accused of being thieves and join the strange family in their bid to escape the threat of the hurricane. Another exciting read.

contact: mdianebrowne@yahoo.com

Diane Browne's latest book published by Carlong Publishers(Caribbean) Ltd

More Caribbean Children's books from Jamaica

The Sand Pebbles Pleasure Series, developed by Carlong Publishers (Caribbean) Limited, aims to provide children with entertaining reading material featuring Caribbean situations. The series focuses on fiction and biographies, and includes collections of short stories, chapter books and novels.

 Books in the series


Every Little Thing Will Be All Right by Diane Browne
- BIAJ Best Children’s Book award, 2004
Five entertaining stories about boys and girls who have to find
resourceful ways of solving the special challenges which they face.










Jojo’s Treasure Hunt by Cherryl Shelley-Robinson
 –  BIAJ Best Children’s Book award, 2004
Twelve-year-old Jojo is determined to find a Spanish jar full of
treasure which will prevent his family losing their home. But, he
is afraid of the mid-night ghost.









Freedom Come by Jean Goulbourne
These five memorable stories recapture the exciting experiences
of children who lived in Jamaica as Tainos, slaves and buccaneers.







Miss Bettina’s House by Hazel D.Campbell
–BIAJ Best Children’s Book Cover award, 2006
Miss Bettina’s abandoned animals invite a homeless boy, Ernest,
to take care of them. But, they have to find a way to outwit the
dangerous rascal, Curry Dan, who wants to capture Miss Bettina's house.




Jenny and the General by Jean D’Costa
– BIAJ Best Children’s Book award, 2006
Ten-year-old Jenny is in trouble. Only her old pet Alsatian dog senses
the danger. He sets out to rescue her. Can he reach her in time?







 Little Island-Big Adventures by Maria Roberts Squires 
 – Best Children’s Book Cover award, 2009
Sara-Ann and her best friend Ruben get up to a lot of antics during
their last school year on their beloved island home on a tiny Grenadine
island in the Eastern Caribbean







Tek Mi! Noh Tek Mi! Caribbean Folktales 
ed Hazel D. Campbell
Eight authors from across the CARICOM region relate
ten unusual folktales originating in their countries. Accompanied
by two audio CDs







  Bernie and the Captain’s Ghost by Hazel D.Campbell
BIAJ Best Children's Chapter Book 2011

Six orphans are invited to spend their summer holiday in a
rural part of Jamaica. There they encounter an adventure which
challenges their physical and mental capabilities. Bernie, the main
character doesn’t allow his physical handicap to deter him from
solving the mystery of the Captain’s Ghost

**** NEW!!! ****

ISLAND PRINCESS IN BROOKLYN

by Diane Browne 

****A must read book ****

For more information on these books Email Carlong at
marketing@carlongpublishers.com

WEBSITE

http://www.carlongpublishers.com/book_listing_subject.php?id=32

New Caribbean Children's Book -A Goatboy Never Cries

This is my new Caribbean Chapter book for children ages 8-10. Colour illustrations
Published by LMH PUblishing Co in Jamaica in December 2009


Johnny gets a quaint pet, 'Gringo' which changes his plans for
summer holidays in surprising ways. Jillian , his sister,
tells the story of that strange summer with Gringo.

Here's an extract from A GOATBOY NEVER CRIES by Hazel D. Campbell
At first, Johnny's new friends ridiculed him. His new name was'goatboy'.
I thought it was a stupid name, but, I suppose, if there were 'cowboys'
to take care of cows, there could be 'goatboys' to take care of goats
and 'pigboys' to take care of pigs and so on. However, I don't think
I would like anyody to call me a 'chicken girl' OR WORSE, a 'fowl girl'.


available from LMH Publishing ltd
Tel:876 938-0005
Fax: 876- 759-8752
email: lmhbookpublishing@cwjamaica.com

Dancing Princesses

My granddaughter Shannon made this cloth collage for my Christmas present. She's talented. Dancing Princesses are still part of a young girl's fantasy - I guess, even in the Caribbean. Should a Caribbean author write stories about Princesses?-dancing or not?

Television and young children

Many Caribbean parents are worried about the influence of television on their young children. Here's my take on this.It may be difficult monitoring what they watch, but make an effort to watch programs with them. and comment on the programs so that you give them a framework in which to interpret what they see.

Think about it. You constantly give guidance by commenting on what you think is appropriate behavior in many different areas, whether it be suitable manner of dress, bad manners, unsatisfactory behavior etc. Do it for the television program content as well. Watch programs with your children- The spin off - more bonding time and you just may enjoy some of those programs - many are highly entertaining and informative.

Of course you could always cancel or severely curtail tv time and read a book with them
-Utopia!!!!!! for authors