New African American Book Series Gives Kids a Caribbean Island Adventure!
'Potter Good' is the word for some African American novel enthusiasts who have finally found a satisfying alternative to the overwhelming white witchcraft themed books they have endured to get a good read.
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October 21, 2008 (FPRC) -- Raleigh, NC -- Ask most kids what they're reading these days and its somewhere between the lands of Alagaesia and the halls of Hogwarts. Now you may try - but many readers between the ages of six and twelve will not only find it hard to not have nightmares of those places, but for those of certain persuasions the challenge to the imaginations of the mind may be even greater.
Many a 'Saturday Night Live' spoof could be made of a little black boy and his chances of survival on those lonely dragon ridden hills. The thought of farmlife usually only brings visions of a past of forced labor and a white man riding a dragon was not your friend~! Many young African American readers have to really really stretch to relate to such things. It's not to say that these themes aren't in many ways extremely creative. But the mind needs a springboard of creativity to start from for it to imagine - like, an all seeing eye in a big tower with a legion of taskmasters. Now that's an evil opposition. That Tolkien knew where we were coming from! Lord of the Rings rocks!
And what is to say of a diva showing up in Hogwarts and waving her wand around. The chosen attire alone may stop the fantasy of any young black female who wishes to traipse into that vision. The setting alone is of an evil that many young African American readers cannot relate to and empathize with. After all, in some cultures witches are indeed, witches.
Now what is the alternative, you may ask - that is, if you're still not convinced that you may need one. Can't a young African American boy or girl enjoy any book. Yes and no. The truth, that most of the majority of our English literature enthusiasts enjoy, is that the story doesn't end with the story. If you find yourself confused now, you're right where you ought to be. A good piece of literature, albeit a great one leads you to further knowledge and thus, study. It gives pride to its culture and encourages character models to build from. So, therein lies the problem. For those of African descent - the culture of England, the Protestant Church and fields of Scotland, Ireland and every other European land is, once again, being praised to yet, another generation. And for those to whom it is meant to tout, they are bestowed with a fresh sense of power, invincibility and warrior spirit. These character traits in the fleshly world of white American capitalism can lead to great status, prospects and opportunity. But for Black youth these are the characteristics of the locked up population!
As far as the breadth of our achievements and the monumental list of things African Americans can accomplish, almost none, daresay are won with a display of power. These cultural themes are however, embedded in the heart of what makes white America great and it is accepted. Black achievements however have - and always have been won through almost the exact opposite traits. Some speculate that is because we are seen as proud - sleek black runners, artists and athletes - beautiful thick haired, thick lipped, dreamy eyed starlets and such. So we have to appear to be quite humble. This is, and always has been the reasoning for black books - to teach our children, our values. It used to be necessary in the traditional sense, but now, with such a disconnected handle on our history these days, it has become absolutely necessary to redeem this lost tradition for survival.
So, what could be the answer to this riddle? Is there something for our kids out there to relate to that's deeper than a picture book and lends to the imagination? Glad you asked...
This intro was getting winded. Yes, there is a studio with a publishing company with a series of books created for just this purpose. We have sought a way to share culture themes, with real historical inferences to share a deep and powerfully moving story to an audience of multicultural children that have never seen anything like it. These stories come from Africa and the West Indies and India and beyond. And the first is an exciting journey entitled - The Island Hunters, a fictional series that is set amongst the notorious Red Sea pirates. And it gets better!
The first series, was developed by Nickelodeon studios to give it that unique kid perspective. The second is going to collaborate with Dark Horse comics for an even more dramatic teen adventure. This is an exciting time to be a 6 to 12 year old boy or girl. Now share this with everyone you know and get the books early to get special gifts from the publishing company. But, most of all, start your Caribbean holiday early! Visit us at www.ngallerie.com for more...
Send an email to J. Redmond of nGallerie press llc
877-405-2981
Keywords:
book adventure, Caribbean island, African American book
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