"Why not a book?" What to get your favourite young bookworm this Christmas

 

It's that time of the year again! The time when many parents are feverishly pondering what to get their children for Christmas. 

And it's that time of the year when I offer my yearly suggestion of "Why not a book?"

We all know the benefits of reading for young minds, and this past year I have highlighted many books which might capture the curiousity of the young readers in your lives.

Many of these books will delight older readers as well, so don't rule them out.

In this article, I have listed several of my posts and articles over the years featuring books that might just be the perfect gift for the children's book fans in your world. There are award-winning books and fantasies and lyrical tales and adventures and myth, all with distinctly West Indian themes. Surely there is at least one to spark the imagination of your favourite book worm.

All of the books have been written by Trinidad and Tobago authors, and many of them are available as ebooks, so be sure to add them to your shopping list now and in the year to come. . 

Articles

The Most Magnificent by Jeuanne Alkins and Neala Bhagwansingh Children learn about the nation's heritage in "The Most Magnificent"

Awesome Father by Charisse J. Broome Awesome Father - A 'love letter' to T&T and God

Honeybee and Nectarine by Vearna Argualine Gloster A friendship blossoms between 'Honeybee and Nectarine'

Blog Quick Guides

A Quick Guide: Discover Secrets of Caribbean Folklore in Danielle McClean's latest Children's Book

A Quick Guide: Patsie's Peculiar Pastelles - A Colouring Book for Kids (Updated March 2024)

"Awesome Father": A Quick Guide to this Joyous Children's Book which Celebrates Trinidad and Tobago!

Blog Interviews

Spotlight: “Endless Possibilities” - A Look Into the Mind of Children’s Author Sherwyn Williams

Author Aarti Gosine finds success in the Magic Cave

Blog Lists

Six Books by Trinidad and Tobago Authors for Your Favourite Young Bookworms!

Spotlight on Patsie's Peculiar Pastelles - A Colouring Book for Kids (Updated March 2024)

Book: Patsie's Peculiar Pastelles - A Colouring Book for Kids*

Author: Charisse J. Broome

Social Media: 

Author's Facebook: @srabroome 

Instagram: @srabroome 

YouTube: Señora BROOME (Sra Broome)

Illustrator: SMiRK  Studio

Publisher: Self Published 

Age Recommendations: 7-700

What’s It About: 

Charisse J. Broome is re-releasing her whimsical colouring book, Patsie's Peculiar Pastelles - A Colouring Book for Kids the perfect gift for your favourite young reader.  

Broome self- published the story of a lady whose peculiar pastelles capture the minds and mouths of her community, Maloney in Trinidad and Tobago. “God gave her an idea and Patsie began preparing potent pastelles for people on public holidays,” Broome states of her colourful character. "Pretty soon Patsie became prominent for her peculiar pastelle making prowess.”

In keeping with her other works, Broome promotes the culture of her native Trinidad and Tobago
through her story. She highlights the country’s popular cornmeal pie filled with meat or vegetable

fillings - a Christmas tradition.

“It was first a poem,” says Broome, “but I wanted to give more, explore more and saw that this one might have potential for more, so I gave it a go.” Besides the lyrical story, the book features illustrations designed to engage colouring enthusiasts of all ages.

The author hopes to pass on inspiring messages of hope and resilience through the Patsie's Peculiar Pastelles story. “I want to remind people that we can do all [good]things well through Christ, that we can depend on God to deposit good ideas in us to help us overcome in difficult times”. She adds that like Patsie, we can use our God-given gifts and talents to honour God and leave a constructive mark on the world. 

Broome has been receiving positive responses on her lyrical story from both children and their guardians. Stay tuned for more news on Pastelle Queen Patsie!

Patsie's Peculiar Pastelles fans enjoying
 the Queen Patsie notebooks

Purchase Information (Updated March 2024)

• Charisse is taking pre-orders for Patsie's Peculiar Pastelles - A Colouring Book for Kids. E-mail her at  thepeculiarpastellepoem@gmail.com to secure your copy in time for Christmas.  

*Sponsored write up

"Awesome Father": A Quick Guide to this Joyous Children's Book which Celebrates Trinidad and Tobago!

 Book: Awesome Father

Author: Charisse J. Broome

Social Media: 

Author's Facebook: @srabroome 

Instagram: @srabroome 

YouTube: Señora BROOME (Sra)

Awesome Father Facebook page  

Illustrator: Pandalific Graphic Design Studio

Publisher: Self published

Age Recommendation: 5-7 years

What’s it about:

Charisse J. Broome celebrates her homeland of Trinidad and Tobago in this unique children’s picture book. Through the rhyming poem Awesome Fathe
r, Broome aims to showcase Trinidad and Tobago's idyllic, natural habitat and to teach children to be proud of their tropical environment. She explains that she hopes her readers will learn to value the beauty within themselves and “to honour God, the Father”. Broome describes her work as “a colourful, giddy and delightful story about love...perfect love”.

Broome aspires to bring the culture and language of her home country to curious, young readers and adults locally and internationally. She has a Spanish version of Awesome Father in the works and is endeavouring to make it part of the Trinidad and Tobago school syllabus. “I hope readers the world over - children as well as parents, aunts as well as uncles - will be inspired, re-ignited and impassioned to fall in love with their awesome surroundings, with their awesome selves and with each awesome other”.  

It seems she is already achieving her goal with Amazon reviews from the United States, Canada and Australia. “This is a great book for children,” notes one reviewer. “It teaches them to be grateful for who they are and everything else around them". Another reader exclaims at the vibrant colours. “I found this book an adventurous wonder.."

 

● International - order from Amazon - Paperback -US$14.35 + shipping; Kindle - US $4.97 https://www.amazon.com/AWESOME-FATHER-Charisse-J-BROOME-ebook/dp/B09LC95RH5/

● Trinidad and Tobago - Christian Literature Crusade bookstores - TT$120

https://clcttbookstores.com/products/AWESOME-FATHER-by-Charisse-J-BROOME-Paperback-5-7yrs-p427423952

● Trinidad and Tobago - My Reflection TT - TT$130 https://myreflectiontt.com/product/awesome-father/ 

● Trinidad and Tobago - Bold Book Print - TT$120

https://boldprintbookshop.com/