Welcome to the wonderful wonderful world of BOOKS!!!! BOOKS!!!! And more BOOKS!!!!

Hi, I am Ugo Anidi and I am a storyteller.

I love books for children: sniffing them, reading them, copying the illustrations in them, hugging and sleeping with them, writing them, talking to them, acquiring them (Once upon a time, i had a library of over 700 books! I have since given them away. I think we’re at a modest 150 now :-)).

Now, I read, write, and review books for children.

My writing career began in primary school where I wrote and illustrated chapter books and sold them to my classmates. My head is firmly buried in the clouds except when I have to teach Law at the University of Nigeria (as Dr. Ugochinyelu Anidi, alter ego), act as a referee between my sons (I have 3) and serve as the Regional Advisor of the Nigerian Chapter of the SCBWI.

I write picture books, chapter books and middle grade and I am represented by Lynnette Novak of the Seymour Agency, New York.

My favourite books:

My favourite picture book of all time is Because by Mo Willem!

My favourite chapter book of all time, now that’s difficult. The Naughtiest Girl in School series by Enid Blyton. Because, Enid Blyton is my Because. 🙂

My favourite middle grade fiction of all time is Zahrah the Windseeker by Nnedi Okoroafor.

Why am I here? I want to help children to read books, to love them, live them and maybe create a few stories of their own.

This blog is primarily for pint-sized (LITTLE) bookworms (READERS) aged  0 – 12 and writers of books for pint-sized bookworms.

What to expect:

1. Book Reviews

I read and review books for children baked in Nigeria and abroad. My reviews are grouped into 3 categories.

Books for 0 – 4 year olds: Here you’ll see reviews of books for babies and toddlers. Sturdy ‘Board Books’ are made for these tough guys who devour board books (literally) when you start reading to them early. So expect reviews of Board books and some ‘Picture Books’ too!

Books for 4 – 8 year olds: Here you’ll see reviews of books for beginning readers, kids who are just starting to read on their own. You’ll find mostly ‘Picture Books’ in this category.

Books for 8 – 12 year olds: Sighs! 8 – 12, these are the golden years of reading. Kids are able to read alone for the first time and to choose the books they want to read. This category therefore has reviews of ‘Chapter Books’ and ‘Middle Grade’. Caveat: I’ll probably have more Chapters Books than Middle Grade.

2. Resources for writers

Anything from tips on the craft to opportunities for querying, writing workshops, grants, events, everything and of course, my very own writing course. Coming soon.

3. Other Book related Info

I’ll also have all sorts of book-related info on bookstores, libraries and book-related events for kids, particularly in Nigeria.

Parents, teachers, siblings (older and younger), friends, not-friends and well-wishers of  0 – 12-year-olds are also welcome. I will endeavour to find one or two things to keep you busy. 🙂