Connecting Kids to Trinidad and Tobago Culture Through Colouring Books
Aniesa Gismondi, living in California, has created a narrated colouring book series titled “Let’s Colour Carnival” to connect her daughter to Trinidad and Tobago’s culture. Through this series, she aims to preserve traditions and foster cultural appreciation among Caribbean children, especially those in the diaspora. Her first book explores Carnival, while Gismondi plans to expand her collection to include other important cultural celebrations.
In California, Aniesa Gismondi, striving to preserve her Trinidadian heritage for her 15-month-old daughter, created a narrated colouring book titled “Let’s Colour Carnival.” This book introduces young children to the vibrant traditions of Trinidad and Tobago’s Carnival by depicting the historical mas characters, thereby fostering appreciation for the country’s culture, creativity, and resilience. Gismondi emphasizes the essential role of storytelling in maintaining cultural identity for future generations.
Using the pen name Ila Maharaj, inspired by her daughter, Gismondi aims to bridge the gap for Caribbean children living abroad, ensuring they appreciate their roots. She has expressed, “My goal was to create books that help Caribbean children, both in Trinidad and Tobago and in the diaspora, stay connected to their roots,” underlining the uniqueness of Trinidadian culture.
Gismondi has always valued reading, requesting books during her baby shower that introduce various cultural celebrations. Despite being a first-time mother, she was disappointed to find a lack of literature on Divali representation for her multi-cultural daughter, leading her to produce her own stories that honour Trinidadian festivals.
Her prior experience includes a degree in agricultural business and teaching roles at Naparima College. Her writing journey began while working in New York as a police administrative aid. Seeking to collaborate with illustrators knowledgeable about Trinidadian culture, she eventually partnered with Shireen Ragoobir to ensure authenticity in her storytelling.
“Let’s Colour Divali,” her inaugural colouring book, was launched in October 2024. She intends to expand her collection, focusing on cultural celebrations in Trinidad and Tobago. Recognizing the importance of educating children about Carnival’s significance, she crafted her latest book to appeal to toddlers, incorporating a playful rhyming paragraph format to introduce traditions.
Examples in the book include catchy verses about Carnival characters, such as the Jab Jab, to engage young readers and introduce them to cultural narratives. “The jab jab is my favourite yet, the prettiest devil you ever met,” illustrates the whimsical, educational nature of her work.
Her books are available at multiple local stores and on Amazon. For additional information about her work, readers may visit Gismondi’s social media accounts for updates and insights into her self-publishing journey.
Aniesa Gismondi’s commitment to preserving Trinidad and Tobago’s cultural heritage through children’s literature is commendable. Her books serve as educational tools that connect younger generations to their roots, celebrating the vibrant traditions and festivals of Trinidad. As she continues to develop her series, her efforts will undoubtedly enhance cultural appreciation both locally and globally.
Original Source: newsday.co.tt
