A Children’s Celebration of CTO Week, Caribbean Heritage Month & Jamaica Diaspora Day
NEW YORK – The Caribbean’s favourite children’s book character, Little Lion, roars again in a new book entitled “Little Lion At Bat.” The book was launched to critical acclaim in Jamaica during Cricket World Cup in April.
The red-haired Rastafarian now picks up his bat for a New York and South Florida tour. In this book launch, author, Kellie Magnus, pays tribute to the resiliency of the Caribbean child in all of us. It is a children’s celebration of Caribbean Heritage Month, Jamaica’s official Diaspora Day in June, and long-standing Caribbean Tourism Organization’s (CTO) week in New York City.
New York Launch – CTO Week Celebration
The New York launch is scheduled for Wednesday, June 13, at 6:30 p.m. in Manhattan at the Savacou Gallery, located at 240 East 13th Street in New York.
South Florida Launch – Jamaica Diaspora Storytelling
Dubbed “Jamaica Diaspora Storytelling”, the JAMPACT South Florida launch is a part of the JAMPACT Culture Series and scheduled for Saturday, June 16, 2007, beginning at 10:00 a.m. at the African American Research Library, 2650 Sistrunk Boulevard, Fort Lauderdale. http://www.jampact.org/southflorida/
“Little Lion At Bat”, illustrated by Michael Robinson, is the second in the Little Lion series. It is the sequel to the popular children’s book, “Little Lion Goes to School”, which was launched in New York in 2003.
Executive Director of the Early Childhood Commission in Jamaica, Dr. Maureen Samms Vaughan, at the recent launch in Kingston, Jamaica, describes the book as an important addition to Caribbean children’s literature, while parents and teachers have credited the book for its humour, vivid illustrations and celebration of cricket and Caribbean life.
Consul General of New York, Basil Bryan, in 2003, called the book “a wholesome, important and timeless message that we must pass on to future generations.” In keeping with this theme, “Little Lion At Bat”, is written in rhyme and targets children up to eight years of age.
It follows the hero, Little Lion, as he overcomes the challenges of his doubting coach and other naysayers, to lead his hapless preparatory school team to victory in their most important cricket match of the year.
“Little Lion Goes to School” was approved for use in the New York City School System, and plans are afoot to secure similar approval for “Little Lion At Bat.” Both books are now part of the Jackmandora collection of Caribbean picture books, ebooks and audiobooks, which aims to promote literacy and interest in Jamaican culture in children at the elementary level.
More information on the collection is available online at www.jackmandora.com. Magnus will be on hand at both launches to read and sign copies of “Little Lion At Bat.” Special discounts will be offered to teachers and community associations.
