Category Archives: ARTICLES

30 Tips for Writing Delightful Children’s Books Day 3

ARTICLES, LITERARY RAMBLES, Writing Picture Books Course, , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

WRITING CHILDREN’S BOOKS TIP #3: KNOW YOUR ONIONS, well, GENRES

Let’s talk about genres. Children’s books have been divided into so many genres and categories that it is so hard to keep up. But here are the major ones.

NB: This post features children’s books by Nigerian authors.

GENRES*

Picture Books

Heavily illustrated; ages 3 – 8; 100 – 1000 words

Greatest Animal in the Jungle by Sope Martins

Juba and the Fireball by Yejide Kilanko

Mayowa and the Masquerades by Lola Shoneyin

Early Chapter Books

Illustrated; ages 4/5 – 8; 1000 – 3000 words

Welcome Home, Anna Hibiscus by Atinuke

Feyi Fay and the Mysterious Madam Koi Koi by Simisayo Brownstone

Chapter books

Few Illustrations; ages 6 – 9; 5000 – 20,000 words

Mafoya and the Finish Line by Ayo Oyeku

No 1 Car Spotter by Atinuke

Middle Grade:

Rarely illustrated; ages 8 – 12; 25,000 – 50,000

A-Files by Victoria Afe Inegbedion

Akata Witch/What Sunny Saw in the Flames by Nnedi Okoroafor

Mirror on the Wall by Jesutofunmi Fekoya

Young Adult

Almost never illustrated; ages 13+ ; 40,000 – 100,000 words

Children of Blood and Bone by Tomi Adeyemi

Beasts Made of Night by Tochi Onyebuchi

Other genres:

Concept Books

Diary of a Toddler by Olubunmi Aboderin Talabi

A Fun ABC by Sade Fadipe

Plays

Mouth Almighty by Salihah Agbaje

Graphic Novels

Anike Eleko by Sandra Joubeaud and Alaba Onajin

Comics

1897: Okiojo’s Chronicles Series

Nonfiction*

My Nigeria, Peoples, Places and Culture by Constance Omawumi Kola-Lawal

Social Justice Books

Eno’s Story by Ayodele Olofintuade

The Red Transistor Radio by Fatima Akilu

OTHER CATEGORIES

Action/Adventure

Ginika’s Adventures by Nnenna Ochiche

The Adventures of Obi and Titi: Queen Idia’s Mask

Series

Illesanmi Twins Series. Book #1 Mystery at Ebenezer Lodge by Dunni Olatunde

Half Hour Hara Series. Book #1 The Case of the Broken Eggs by Ugo Anidi

Science Fiction

Zahra the Windseeker by Nnedi Okoroafor

Folktales/Fairytales

Folktales are Forever by Efe Farinre

Biographies

Idia of the Benin kingdom by Ekiuwa Aire

Please note: This list is by no means exhaustive!

  1. Action: Get a library subscription

Try Bookworm Café. This outfit specializes only in children’s books and its Director is a children’s literature connoisseur.

Try ZODML, Zaccheus Onumba Dibiaezue Memorial Libraries too!

OR

Be like me, buy every single book on this list … AND MORE 😊

2. Read.

Read 2 to 3 books in each genre to determine which one appeals to you😊

Then when you find your niche, read as many books as possible in that genre. Good luck!

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*post on nonfiction coming soon

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30 Tips for Writing Delightful Children’s Books Day 2

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WRITING CHILDREN’S BOOKS TIP #2: READ! READ!! READ!!!

Stephen King

15 years ago, I met my ‘then’ role model and I excitedly asked her the million-dollar question: “What can I do to become a world-famous writer like you?” I expected a million-dollar answer, a one-way ticket to stardom, the secret to Enid Blyton’s success, something utterly profound.

What I got was:

Read Read Read.

Mschew, I thought as I walked away.

A decade and some later, I know now that she gave me the best piece of writing advice in the world! In fact, this should have been Tip #1. 😊 Do you want to become a bestselling children book author? Please read hundreds of books by other children’s book authors! Hundreds! Thousands! Set a monthly reading target! There is NO OTHER WAY.

Also ….

A… Read what you would like to write

If you love historical fiction and you would like to write a piece of historical fiction set in Nigeria with a 12-year-old main character, please read at least 20 middle grade historical fiction novels set in Africa before you start writing. Read another 20 after writing your first draft. Note: Novels which provide examples of good writing are called mentor texts.

and

B… Read like a writer.

When you read, look out for craft elements* that the writer used to perfection and write them down. Note the way the writer uses them. Elements to look out for: point of view, character development, plot, theme, worldbuilding/setting, dialogue, scenes, literary devices, etc.

  1. Action: Create a Read like a Writer Journal.

For every book you read, write the craft element that appealed to you in your journal.

Here’s what mine looks like:

S/NBOOK CRAFT ELEMENTOther
1Beasts Made of NightTochi OnyebuchiMemorable Action ScenesYA, African magical realism
2Zahrah the WindseekerNnedi OkoroaforWorldbuilding!!!!!!YA, African magical realism
3Aru Shah and the End of TimeRoshani ChokshiWorldbuildingMG, Mythology
4Tristan Strong Punches a Hole in the SkyKwame MbaliaWorldbuilding, themeMG Mythology
5Lalani of the Distant SeaErin Entrada KellyWorld Building, Xter Development (Hetsbi)MG, Magical realism
6How to Find What You’re Not Looking ForVeera HiranandaniCharacter, 2nd person Point of view, emotional connection with writer: lots of heart, theme,MG, Contemporary, Historical Fiction, Disability, Discrimination
7Children of Blood and BoneTomi AdeyemiWorldbuilding, Excellent Xter Development (Amari + Prince Inan), internal dialogue, 1st person point of view x 3YA, Yoruba Mythology, The Orisha
RLAW Table

This table shows you the stuff I loved/learnt from the books I’ve read in recent times but it also shows you something else: the nature of the story I’m currently working on and the type of story I’d like to try after this project.

I am currently working on a middle grade piece of historical fiction with elements of magical realism. The bit on mythology is for my next project. 😊

2. Read.

So, figure out the theme/genre of your next writing project and start reading.

Want to write a story for children, don’t know where to start? Tell me all about it and we can figure out the theme and some mentor texts for you!

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*post on craft elements coming soon

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30 Tips for Writing Delightful Children’s Books

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WRITING CHILDREN’S BOOKS TIP #1: WRITE WHAT YOU KNOW –

Ernest Hemingway

This could mean, write about the things you’ve seen, done, heard, loved, felt, basically experienced. If you’ve flown upside down in a plane, that could be the beginning of a story set in year 3054 with human characters who walk on their heads! If you’ve felt sadness over the loss of a pet, you can write about the loss of a loved one.

Basically, take what you know, add sprinkles of salt and pepper to it and voila! Your story!

I have always loved stories! Long before I discovered stories in written form, I found love in oral stories, particularly Igbo folktales. I heard tons of Igbo folktales as a child. I know Igbo folktales like the back of my hand. Naturally, when I started writing seriously, my first thought was to recreate Igbo folktales. But I couldn’t reproduce all the folktales I’d heard, could I?

… Enter Fractured Folktales

A fractured folktale is a folktale that is revised or rewritten to appeal to a contemporary audience. It can be laced with humour or restructured to a deliver a social justice message.

  1. Action: Take that folktale you know and love and change something about it.
  • Give it a different main character (or rewrite it from another character’s point of view) or change the human characters to animals or vice versa OR
  • Change the theme OR
  • Give it a different beginning or ending OR
  • Give it a different setting. Take it from year 1601 to year 2075!

2. Read:

Picture Book:

The Greedy Ostrich by Olusayo Ajetunmobi (Original Folktale: Yoruba)

The Missing Chicken by Ugo Anidi (Original folktale: Igbo: How Tortoise Married a Wife with a Grain of Corn)

Chapter Book:

Afro the Girl with the Magical Hair by Okechukwu Ofili (Original fairytale: Brothers Grimm: Rapunzel)

These books are available on the Farafina Books website.

3. More research: Read my blogpost on creating contemporary stories from Igbo folktales here

Want to write a story for children, don’t know where to start? Try a fractured folktale (or fairytale) today. Tell me all about it.

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Big News! I’m agented!!!

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After 7 years of querying …

(well, that’s stretching the truth a bit. I did submit my first query in 2015 but i had a long dry no-queries-spell between 2016 and 2018)

… I AM NOW REPRESENTED BY LYNNETTE NOVAK OF THE SEYMOUR AGENCY

Check me out:

https://theseymouragency.com/pre-published-authors

I am so excited! Are you ready? Lynnette and I are about to make magic!!!

For more updates, follow me on twitter here:

https://twitter.com/UgochinyeluA?t=FS4r6ImW1vsGVWGYu9GS9w&s=09

https://twitter.com/UgochinyeluA?t=FS4r6ImW1vsGVWGYu9GS9w&s=09

Best Books for Babies by Heidi Murkoff

AGES 0 - 4, ARTICLES, , , , , , , , , , ,

noltelourens

In the video below, the Founder and CEO of WhattoExpect shares the best books to buy for babies from 0 months.

  1. Watch the video below

//players.brightcove.net/1684477580001/SkysXyYK_default/index.html?videoId=1826560166001

Culled from Whattoexpect.com. For the original article, please click on this link:

https://www.whattoexpect.com/first-year/video/best-books-for-babies.aspx?pos=1&xid=nl_YourDailyNewsletterfromWhattoExpect_20171214

2. Go over to our Book Review Section (0 – 4 in particular) here to create your own list for your little angel.

We let you know the highlights of the books plus where to get them too!!

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photo credit: parents.com

 

 

 

Our Top Ten Nigerian Bookshops for Children

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OUR TOP TEN NIGERIAN BOOKSHOPS FOR CHILDREN

*in no particular order

  1. LEARNINGTON BOOKSTORE

 JUST FOR KIDS

ADDRESS: Surulere, Lagos

CONTACT PHONE NO: 08025018312

EMAIL: orders@learnington-ng.com

ONLINE BOOKSTORE: http://www.learnington-ng.com

EASE OF NAVIGATION: Very easy

BOOK CLUB: No

BOOK RELATED EVENTS FOR CHILDREN: No

OUR REVIEW: Their books are absolutely scrumptious. We love them because their site is so blissfully easy to navigate. It’s almost as good as walking around in a bookshop.

  1. TAMS INK

 JUST FOR KIDS 

ADDRESS: None

CONTACT PHONE NO: +2348097489086

EMAIL: hello@tamsinkbooks.com.ng

ONLINE BOOKSTORE: http://www.tamsinkbooks.com.ng

EASE OF NAVIGATION: Easy

BOOK CLUB: No

BOOK RELATED EVENTS FOR CHILDREN: No

OUR REVIEW: They have quite a number of books for kids. We absolutely love them for their quirky list. Pick up the most random books from here, international bestsellers, books you’ll likely not find in other bookshops. Warning, they’re a bit pricey.

  1. THE BOOKWORM CAFÉ

  JUST FOR KIDS

ADDRESS: Kaldi Africa House, 1 Adeyemi Bero Crescent, Ilupeju, Lagos

CONTACT PHONE NO: 08023388640

EMAIL: info@thebookwormcafe.com

ONLINE BOOKSTORE: http://thebookwormcafe.com

EASE OF NAVIGATION: Relatively easy

BOOK CLUB: Yes

BOOK RELATED EVENTS FOR CHILDREN: Yes!!

OUR REVIEW: We love them for their books yes, BUT we love them TO BITS because they have the most fun book-related events for kids.

  1. READING CORNER NIGERIA

 JUST FOR KIDS

ADDRESS: 3 Bayo Kuku Road, Ikoyi, Lagos

CONTACT PHONE NO: 0812 406 8181; 2348140000041

EMAIL: info@ReadingCorner.ng

ONLINE BOOKSTORE: http://readingcorner.ng/

EASE OF NAVIGATION: Very easy

BOOK CLUB: Yes

BOOK RELATED EVENTS FOR CHILDREN: Yes

OUR REVIEW: We love this store to pieces!! They have quite an extensive booklist for babies and toddlers, basically kids age 0 – 4 (including international bestsellers) and we love them for it.

  1. CHELISBOOKAZINE

JUST FOR KIDS

ADDRESS: Plot 12 Johnson Street, Off Bode Thomas Road, Surulere, Lagos.

CONTACT PHONE NO: 01-7742241, 08152854860, 08152854846, 08037128290, 08033324289, 09030096733 (helpline)

EMAIL: customercare@chelisbookazine.com

ONLINE BOOKSTORE: http://chelisbookazine.com

EASE OF NAVIGATION: Relatively easy

BOOK CLUB: Yes

BOOK RELATED EVENTS FOR CHILDREN: Yes

OUR REVIEW: For the longest time, this was our favourite bookshop in Nigeria. They are a favourite with many schools in Nigeria too! They have tons of books, (fiction and non-fiction) for kids 0 – 12 especially those in the 0 – 8 age group and lots of classics too. The highlight of this store: Their prices are quite pocket-friendly!!

  1. LATERNA VENTURES

ADDRESS: 13, Oko-Awo Close, Off. Adetokunbo Ademola Street, Victoria Island, Lagos.

CONTACT PHONE NO: 08100234441 (online store only); 08033014462,012715376

EMAIL: info@laternabooks.com; sales@laternabooks.com

ONLINE BOOKSTORE: https://www.laternabooks.com/index3.php?c=5

EASE OF NAVIGATION: Relatively easy

BOOK CLUB: No

BOOK RELATED EVENTS FOR CHILDREN: Yes

OUR REVIEW: This is a great bookstore. It has quite a good list but do you know what we absolutely love about it? Their events! They have lots of ‘reading’ events for kids! Go to Laterna to meet your favourite Nigerian authors!

  1. BIBLE WONDERLAND

 ADDRESS: 33 Funsho Williams Avenue, Surulere Lagos; OANDO Filling Station, 4th Roundabout, Lekki, Lagos.

CONTACT PHONE NO: Surulere: 08105682169, 08105682185; Lekki: 08105682183

EMAIL: biblewonderlandng@gmail.com; bookcityng@gmail.com

ONLINE BOOKSTORE: http://biblewonderlandng.com/store/index.php?route=common/home

EASE OF NAVIGATION: Not so easy. (Best to go to the Lekki and Surulere Stores)

BOOK CLUB: No

BOOK RELATED EVENTS FOR CHILDREN: No

OUR REVIEW: Our go-to store for great Christian books for kids! They have a wide range of non-fiction on history and geography!!

  1. TERRAKULTURE 

ADDRESS: Plot 1376, Tiamiyu Savage, Off Ahmadu Bello Way, Victoria Island, Lagos

CONTACT PHONE NO: +234-1-2700-588

EMAIL: info@terrakulture.com

ONLINE BOOKSTORE: Work-in-progress

EASE OF NAVIGATION: Not Applicable

BOOK CLUB: No

BOOK RELATED EVENTS FOR CHILDREN: No

OUR REVIEW: This is hands-down our best store for extraordinary books for children, ‘Made in Nigeria’

  1. FARAFINA

ADDRESS: 253 Herbert Macaulay Way, Alagomeji, Yaba, Lagos.

CONTACT PHONE NO: 08077364217

EMAIL: info@kachifo.com

WEBSITE: https://www.konga.com/kachifo-farafina or https://www.jumia.com.ng/fiction/farafina/

EASE OF NAVIGATION: Easy

BOOK CLUB: No

BOOK RELATED EVENTS FOR CHILDREN: Yes

OUR REVIEW: Farafina is an imprint of the Kachifo publishing house so you will be able to buy only books published by Kachifo. Their titles for kids (under the Farafina Tuuti Imprint) are GREAT!! Over the phone orders are pretty easy and straightforward and (A huge plus!) you can get same day delivery in Lagos!

  1. CASSAVA REPUBLIC

ADDRESS: Shop 62, Abuja Arts and Crafts Village, Opposite Sheraton Hotel, Central Business District Abuja

CONTACT PHONE NO: 081-85802634

EMAIL: info@cassavarepublic.biz

ONLINE BOOKSTORE: http://www.cassavarepublic.biz/collections/childrens-books

EASE OF NAVIGATION: Easy

BOOK CLUB: No

BOOK RELATED EVENTS FOR CHILDREN: No

OUR REVIEW: A great store for home-grown books! It is owned by a publishing house so it carries only the house’s titles.

  1. KONGA

ADDRESS: None

CONTACT PHONE NO: 01 460 5555; 0809 460 5555

EMAIL: help@konga.com

ONLINE BOOKSTORE: http://www.konga.com/childrens-books

EASE OF NAVIGATION: Relatively easy

BOOK CLUB: No

BOOK RELATED EVENTS FOR CHILDREN: No

OUR REVIEW: They have quite a few titles for kids. We absolutely love them for the old Nigerian classics.

 

Do you know any bookshops that should make this list? Email us at ugochinyelu.anidi@gmail.com

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photo credit: twickermum.com

News/Events January 23rd Week

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OUR TOP TEN NIGERIAN BOOKSHOPS FOR CHILDREN

*in no particular order

  1. LEARNINGTON BOOKSTORE  (Just For Kids)

ADDRESS: None

CONTACT PHONE NO: 08025018312

EMAIL: orders@learnington-ng.com

ONLINE BOOKSTORE: http://www.learnington-ng.com

EASE OF NAVIGATION: Very easy

BOOK CLUB: No

BOOK RELATED EVENTS FOR CHILDREN: No

OUR REVIEW: Their books are absolutely scrumptious. We love them because their site is so blissfully easy to use. It’s almost as good as walking around in a bookshop.

  1. READING CORNER NIGERIA (Just For Kids)

ADDRESS: 11 Bayo Kuku Road, Ikoyi, Lagos

CONTACT PHONE NO: 0812 406 8181; 2348140000041

EMAIL: info@ReadingCorner.ng

ONLINE BOOKSTORE: http://readingcorner.ng/

EASE OF NAVIGATION: Very easy

BOOK CLUB: Yes

BOOK RELATED EVENTS FOR CHILDREN: Yes

OUR REVIEW: We love this store to pieces!!!!!!!! Unlike most children’s bookshops in Nigeria, they have quite an extensive booklist for babies and toddlers, basically kids age 0 – 4 (including international bestsellers) and we love them for it. 

  1. CHELISBOOKAZINE  (Just For Kids)

ADDRESS: Plot 12 Johnson Street, Off Bode Thomas Road, Surulere, Lagos.

CONTACT PHONE NO: 01-7742241, 08152854860, 08152854846, 08037128290, 08033324289, 09030096733 (helpline)

EMAIL: customercare@chelisbookazine.com

ONLINE BOOKSTORE: http://chelisbookazine.com

EASE OF NAVIGATION: Relatively easy

BOOK CLUB: Yes

BOOK RELATED EVENTS FOR CHILDREN: Yes

OUR REVIEW: For the longest time, this was our favourite bookshop in Nigeria. They are a favourite with many schools in Nigeria too! They have tons of books, (fiction and non-fiction) for kids 0 – 12 especially those in the 0 – 8 age group and lots of classics too. The highlight of this store: Their prices are quite pocket-friendly!! (Caveat: They’re currently updating their site. Prices may change from February 2017)

  1. LATERNA BOOKS

ADDRESS: 13, Oko-Awo Close, Off. Adetokunbo Ademola Street, Victoria Island, Lagos.

CONTACT PHONE NO: 08100234441 (online store only); 08033014462,012715376

EMAIL: info@laternabooks.com; sales@laternabooks.com

ONLINE BOOKSTORE: https://www.laternabooks.com/index3.php?c=5

EASE OF NAVIGATION: Relatively easy

BOOK CLUB: No

BOOK RELATED EVENTS FOR CHILDREN: Yes

OUR REVIEW: This is a great bookstore. It has quite a good list but do you know what we absolutely love about it? Their events! They have lots of ‘reading’ events for kids! Go to Laterna to meet your favourite Nigerian authors! 

  1. BIBLE WONDERLAND

ADDRESS: 33 Funsho Williams Avenue, Surulere Lagos; OANDO Filling Station, 4th Roundabout, Lekki, Lagos.

CONTACT PHONE NO: Surulere: 08105682169, 08105682185; Lekki: 08105682183

EMAIL: biblewonderlandng@gmail.com; bookcityng@gmail.com

ONLINE BOOKSTORE: http://biblewonderlandng.com/store/index.php?route=common/home

EASE OF NAVIGATION: Not so easy. (Best to go to the Lekki and Surulere Stores)

BOOK CLUB: No

BOOK RELATED EVENTS FOR CHILDREN: No

OUR REVIEW: Our go-to store for great Christian books for kids! They have a wide range of non-fiction books on history and geography!!

  1. TERRAKULTURE

 ADDRESS: Plot 1376, Tiamiyu Savage, Off Ahmadu Bello Way, Victoria Island, Lagos

CONTACT PHONE NO: +234-1-2700-588

EMAIL: info@terrakulture.com

ONLINE BOOKSTORE: Work-in-progress

EASE OF NAVIGATION: Not Applicable

BOOK CLUB: No

BOOK RELATED EVENTS FOR CHILDREN: No

OUR REVIEW: This is hands-down our best store for extraordinary books for children, ‘Made in Nigeria’

  1. FARAFINA

ADDRESS: 253 Herbert Macaulay Way, Alagomeji, Yaba, Lagos.

CONTACT PHONE NO: 08077364217

EMAIL: info@kachifo.com

WEBSITE: https://www.konga.com/kachifo-farafina or https://www.mobiashara.com/farafina

EASE OF NAVIGATION: Easy

BOOK CLUB: No

BOOK RELATED EVENTS FOR CHILDREN: Yes

OUR REVIEW: Farafina is an imprint of the Kachifo publishing house so you will be able to buy only books published by Kachifo. Their titles for kids (under the Farafina Tuuti Imprint) are GREAT!! Another huge plus: over the phone orders are pretty easy and straightforward

  1. KONGA

ADDRESS: None

CONTACT PHONE NO: 01 460 5555; 0809 460 5555

EMAIL: help@konga.com

ONLINE BOOKSTORE: http://www.konga.com/childrens-books

EASE OF NAVIGATION: Relatively easy

BOOK CLUB: No

BOOK RELATED EVENTS FOR CHILDREN: Yes

OUR REVIEW: They have quite a few titles for kids. We absolutely love them for the old Nigerian classics. 

  1. THE HUB

ADDRESS: 1st Floor, The Palm Shopping Mall, Lekki, Lagos, Lagos

CONTACT PHONE NO: 01 813 1268

EMAIL: Not available

ONLINE BOOKSTORE: Not available

EASE OF NAVIGATION: Not applicable

BOOK CLUB: No

BOOK RELATED EVENTS FOR CHILDREN: No

OUR REVIEW: They have quite a number of books for kids. We absolutely love them for their quirky list. Pick up the most random books from here, books you’ll likely not find in other bookshops. 

  1. CASSAVA REPUBLIC

 ADDRESS: Shop 62, Abuja Arts and Crafts Village, Opposite Sheraton Hotel, Central Business District Abuja

CONTACT PHONE NO: 081-85802634

EMAIL: info@cassavarepublic.biz

ONLINE BOOKSTORE: http://www.cassavarepublic.biz/collections/childrens-books

EASE OF NAVIGATION: Easy

BOOK CLUB: No

BOOK RELATED EVENTS FOR CHILDREN: No

OUR REVIEW: A great store for home-grown books! They also double as a publishing house so they sell only their titles.

Do you know any bookshops that should make this list? Email us at ugochinyelu.anidi@gmail.com

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photo credit: twickermum.com

Our Summer Reading Club at OLMQP, Lagos

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Pictures from our summer reading club at OLMQP, Ajah, Lagos.

we read short stories, books, poems, bible passages.

we made reading diaries and bookmarks.

we had fun word puzzles

we created our own stories

we had 4 weeks of ‘reading’ fun

John 3:16 and The Three Little Pigs
The Three Little Pigs

screen-shot-2016-10-19-at-5-45-19-pm
Our Bookmarks

img_8888
Our Reading Diaries

screen-shot-2016-10-19-at-5-45-34-pm

CHANGES

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Dear Pint-sized Bookworms (and their mummies, daddies, aunties, uncles and teachers),

A few days ago, a friend called me ‘Super Mom’. Those words sparked off a lot of thoughts in my small head. Of all the thoughts, 1 stuck: I have definitely bitten off more than I can chew.

  • I have a blog that needs to be fed at least 3 posts every week
  • I have to read 3 books every week in order to feed the blog
  • I have 2 boys under 2 and no help
  • I am in the 2nd year of my PhD (in Law)
  • I am working on 2 manuscripts: 2 early chapter books and I have a July deadline
  • Our reading club will kick off May 27th (in 2 weeks) in 3 schools with a minimum of 60 pupils

Suffice it to say that according to a popular Igbo idiom, I have slowly but surely stuffed my hands and feet in my mouth at the same time. I am definitely not ‘Super Mom’. If anything, I’m ‘Exhausted Mom’.

So dear Pint-sized Bookworms, this is the part where this Busy Bee yells, “THERE ARE GONNA BE SOME CHANGES AROUND HERE!!”

Since I’m not the smartest person in the world (you’ll come to understand why I said this in a few seconds), I have decided to add 2 more posts every week! (You see!). Basically, I’m trying to enrich your reading experience by putting up some more interesting stuff.

So our blog schedule will be tweaked a little. Every week, expect the following:

Mondays: Love Books! Anything in the world of Children’s Books: tips on reading with children, book reading events, news from our reading club, top libraries and bookstores for children’s books, etc.

Tuesdays: Book Reviews for 8-12 year olds

Thursdays: Book Reviews for 0-4 year olds

Fridays: Stories from Me! At least 500 words from my manuscript.

Saturdays: Book Reviews for 4-8 year olds

Thank you for your patience and understanding,

Happy Reading !!

 

 

 

 

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Events this Month (April)

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Dear Pint-sized Bookworms,

A million and one things have happened in the world of children’s books in the past two weeks. Find a brief summary below.

1. APRIL 23RD

 April 23rd 2016 was

  • World Book Day
  • The 400th Anniversary of the death of William Shakespeare

A. WORLD BOOK DAY

World Book Day is a day set aside by UNESCO for celebrating books and reading for children. To commemorate World Book Day, we will give away 3 books to the three lucky winners.

0 – 4 years

The Preschool Alphabet Book by Noma Sodipo or ABC by Dr. Seuss

***

4 – 8 years

No Bread for Eze and No School for Eze by Ifeoma Onyefulu or The Emperor’s New Clothes by Hans Christian Andersen

***

8-12 years

Zahrah the Windseeker by Nnedi Okoroafor or How to Build Your Own Country by Valerie Wyatt

***

 To enter:  

Scroll down our post list, read the review for the book you want to win and answer the challenge question. Answers must be received before 12am on Saturday May 7th, 2016.

B. SHAKESPEARE’S ANNIVERSARY

Born on April 23rd 1564, Shakespeare is arguably the best English playwright ! He wrote 38 plays and 154 sonnets before he died 52 years later on April 23rd 1616. (Yes!! He died on his birthday!) In honour of Shakespeare, this month (May), we will review 8 books by Shakespeare.

2. NEW RELEASE

Diary of a Wimpy Kid #11: Double Down by Jeff Kinney

Greg Heffley is Back! The newest addition to the Wimpy kid series will be available to the public on the 1st of November, 2016, that’s 01 -11 -16! Preorder your copy here.

3.  PBW READING CLUB

Our Reading Club will take off this month! More information coming soon …

TNT,

Ugo 🙂