Aniesa Gismondi has authored a children’s book, “Let’s Colour Carnival,” to help her daughter connect with Trinidad and Tobago culture while living in California. This book emphasizes the traditional masquerade characters of Carnival and aims to preserve cultural narratives for future generations. Gismondi also created a book on Divali and is dedicated to exploring more of Trinidad’s cultural celebrations in future publications.
Aniesa Gismondi, residing in California and longing to connect her daughter, Ila, with their Trinidadian heritage, authored a narrated coloring book titled “Let’s Colour Carnival.” This book aims to introduce children to the rich traditions of Trinidad and Tobago’s Carnival, emphasizing the significance of traditional masquerade characters while fostering an appreciation for the nation’s vibrant culture. Gismondi stated, “The costumes I concentrated on tell stories of our past, our people and our identity.”
Using the pen name Ila Maharaj, Gismondi wishes to ensure that the cultural narratives remain alive for future generations. Concerned about Ila’s connection to their family, most of whom reside in New York, Gismondi is dedicated to creating literature that helps Caribbean children worldwide celebrate their roots. She expressed a profound desire for her daughter to understand and cherish their cultural identity.
Having received numerous children’s books as gifts for her baby shower, Gismondi noticed a gap in representation, particularly concerning Divali literature. With a background in literature and creative writing, she embarked on writing her own children’s book that reflects the beauty of her heritage. Gismondi sought an illustrator familiar with Trinidadian culture and subsequently collaborated with Shireen Ragoobir for her first book, “Let’s Colour Divali,” scheduled for release in October 2024.
Gismondi’s passion for Carnival inspired her to create another children’s book that would convey the joy of the festival to Ila. With no age-appropriate literature available, she felt compelled to fill that void. Rather than delve deeply into the historical context of Carnival for young readers, she opted for entertaining rhymes introducing traditional characters, such as the Jab Jab, depicted as the “prettiest devil you ever met” in her book.
“Let’s Colour Carnival” is now accessible at various local bookstores and online platforms, including Scribbles and Quills, Molay Marketplace and Café, and Amazon. For additional updates and insights, readers are encouraged to visit Gismondi’s Facebook page or her Instagram handle, @ilamaharajauthor.
Aniesa Gismondi’s initiatives reflect a heartfelt commitment to preserving Trinidad and Tobago’s cultural identity through children’s literature. By creating narrated coloring books, Gismondi effectively bridges the gap for diaspora children like her daughter, fostering a connection to their heritage. These efforts emphasize the importance of cultural storytelling and the need for representation within the literary landscape.
Original Source: newsday.co.tt
