Dear Adult, Books Like Me, Matter!

Hello dear Friends of The Kiddie-Writers' Forum,

Here's wishing you a relaxed weekend, especially if you have commenced the Easter break. It's possibly a great time to reconnect as its been a good few weeks since we last touched base. Once again, I emphasise, it was a true pleasure keeping your child/children intrigued on World Book Day and I salute you for making the night's event important. And what lovely costumes they came into the room with😄🥰

How is your child Fairing? Now, just because you had no books where you felt visible, doesn't mean your kids need go through the same invisibility code. Thus the title: Dear Adult, Books like me, Matter! As mentioned by my colleague, author Carrol May Nelson, the key to helping our children remain fulfilled in education is reading books that resonate with them. Research continues to record disturbing levels of underachievement experienced by children of African, Caribbean, and mixed-heritage in our diaspora. As a result, we must not relent in forging means to combat these struggles through our robust intentions. In December, we witnessed two of our regular members deliver the opening speech: Esther (9yrs old) and Joseph (10yrs old) and you would agree they did an amazing job! This is how we empower our children. Be sure to invite a friend to our next event! In the same light, this year potentially, we have 3-4 more physical CALF-Events to host before we meet virtually in October! This is mindblowing for us as a team. Details to follow.

Empowering our children through Literature: As you already know, at CALFE, reading is not just about acquiring knowledge; it is about empowering our children with representational books. When they see themselves reflected in the stories they read, it instils a sense of belonging and self-confidence. It helps them develop empathy, understanding, and a broader perspective of their world and that of others. By providing books that represent diverse cultures and experiences, we can inspire our children to embrace their heritage and celebrate their uniqueness. It is through these stories that they find role models, explore different perspectives, and gain a deeper appreciation for their own identity and respect for all people.

The Role You Parents and Caregivers Play: Parents and caregivers play a crucial role in nurturing a love for reading in children. So, my questions are:

Do you actively seek or make requests from your child/children's school for representational books? Have you identified parents with similar values as yours with the possibility of swapping books to avoid being marginalised from literature reflecting diverse heritages?

Sometimes, the institutions we rely on may not understand these needs, meaning we have to take the bull by the horn. Be intentional about raising our children in a culturally diverse world. Other times, the schools may just not know that books like ours exist: an opportunity for your child to showcase such books is majorly during World Book Day or during the assigned Black History Months (October in UK, February in the USA). Encourage your child to confidently dress up as one of the characters they have met in our stories. Be Unique. By making reading a fun and enjoyable experience, we empower our children to become lifelong learners and critical thinkers. Nurturing a supportive representational reading environment at home, will encourage your children to develop strong literacy skills and a love for books and self.

Remember, the goal is not just to get our children to read but to develop a genuine love for reading. Happy Spring/Easter Holidays to you and yours!

Sade Fadipe 

To find out about our CALFE activities visit                         To find out about our books for purchase visit my book store or contact me for signposting 

Books Like Me, Matter