Editor’s Note

Dear Brittle Paperians,

We asked our wonderful writers to share some beautiful pieces for the littlest of literature lovers! There has always been a ton of children’s books, but in the last decade there has been an overwhelming surge in BIPOC representation in the literary community to ensure kids see themselves in the books they read. So, this year, we are adding our own contribution! Bookling Corner is an African literary collection of 19 pieces for kids to enjoy!

I was, and still am, an avid bookworm, and little me read any and everything around the house with words on. Every birthday, I asked for books, and any time I saved up money, I wanted to spend it at my nearest book store. It was only years later that I realised, as many do, that none of the books I read, had descriptions that sounded like me, or illustrations that looked like me. But we live in a more accessible world now where it is easier to find books by writers of colour who get to create stories that represent their younger selves and the communities around them. So, earlier this year when I got the exciting news that I was going to be an aunt, it made me really happy to know that my niece can grow up with books that she can see herself in or her friends, or her family, and have it be comforting and wonderful and, most importantly, have it be normal in the most extra ordinary way. So, with the help of our incredibly talented writers, we asked them to take part in adding to this glorious world of literature that represents relatable identities and communities, with the hope that a child may hopefully see a character that feels familiar to them.

In Bookling Corner, our 19 pieces are from writers from Cameroon, Ghana, South Africa, Nigeria, Zimbabwe, Malawi, Sierre Leone, Tanzania, Namibia, and Kenya. And we have four lovely parts of the collection for your little ones to enjoy! The first is our Rock-A-By Rhymes with cute nursery rhymes and poems, like “My African Alphabet,” by Christopher Armoh. Then, we have Little Scholars, with some interactive stories and fun learning tales for inquisitive minds, like “Muna and the Moon,” by Mohamed Sheriff. Next is the Doodle Corner, where Danial Alaka drew some funny comics, and Dorathy Dung illustrated a wonderful little adventure for kids to engage with. Then we join some adorable animals in the Wild Tales section, like “The Crows First Tooth,” by Lindsay Katchika-Jere Chazika. And finally, the Bedtime Stories, with heartwarming works such as “Something Blue,” by Blessing Tarfa.

Brittle Paper is an avid supporter of African and diasporic literary representation, and we all know that the world is made better by kids who feel inspired, loved, and seen. We hope this collection is enjoyed by the littlest of readers and story lovers, and we hope you all find childlike joy in this!

Happy Reading!
– Tahzeeb Akram

Download for Free: Bookling Corner