By Rebecca Ejifoma
On Friday June 10, Mango Books, an imprint of Quramo Publishing Limited, will present a cocktail of three titles at its Young Reader’s Literary Morning which will hold at the Lagos Preparatory School, Glover Road, Ikoyi Lagos by 10.30am.
Called the Young Readers’ Literary Morning, Mango Books say it is part of a broader initiative to foster the culture of reading and the extended benefits of improved literacy among children.
“Mango Books will provide 150 young readers from selected schools with an activity and fun packed two-hour literary event where the entertainment will include a lively debate and reading from our titles by some of Nigeria’s most seasoned and popular actors and media personalities.”
The books for reading include: Malaika’s Magical Kiosk by Shaleen Keshavjee-Gulam, The King and the Colony by Olasupo Shasore and of course Dad Goes to School by Mandy Collins. These pieces of literary works will grasp the children’s mind’s eyes to the images as depicted in the books.
Malaika’s Magical Kiosk, a story for children between ages seven and 10, is about how the lives of two sisters and their village is transformed by a mysterious kiosk owner. While The King and the Colony, for aged 11 and above, is a colourful and engaging retelling of the historical events surrounding the battle for Lagos, Dad Goes to School simply tells about the adventurous day a little girl called Nandi has when her daddy joins her at school (for 5 to 7 year olds).
This effort has the long term objective of being part of the push to raise the 61% literacy level of Nigerian adults by targeting children in both primary and secondary schools. According to Mango Books, a literate child will be an improved adult; a future asset to a nation and its development agenda.
The organization disclosed this in a press release it issued at the weekend. Adding that the noble ideal begins from the seemingly simple small task of fostering and injecting a love of books and reading in the children.
Interestingly, Mango Books is the Quramo imprint for children’s stories. It features stories for children between three and 17, and genres from young adult fiction to educational, non-fictional and historical text. Mango Books is keen on telling African stories that preserve culture and history which will also entertain, educate and inspire children.
“We are currently in partnership with the Golden Baobab Prize, an African Prize for Children’s literature, to publish works of long-listed authors.”
