New children’s picture book celebrates Wai’tukubuli

The launch of a new children’s picture book that celebrates both the cultural and natural life of Dominica took place at UWI Open Campus in Roseau on Thursday evening (14 December 2023). “Good Night My Sweet Island” is designed and written by Dominican Petrea Honychurch Seaman and illustrated by Susanne Heitz. Children in the audience joined in with Leandra Lander, teacher, and musical director, to say “Good Night” as she read the book to an appreciative gathering.

“Good Night My Sweet Island” has already been described as a “classic”, a book that will remain precious to generations of children. As Jeanelle Brisbane, wildlife ecologist, commented at the launch: “Let this book be a catalyst for a renewed appreciation of our environment, a promise to our children that we will be the stewards of this paradise, passing on not just stories but a legacy of a thriving, vibrant, and unspoiled island that we call Waitukubuli.”

Petrea Honychurch Seaman, on the screen from Jamaica where she currently lives, said that as a child she had been immersed in nature. “I think of our island home as this living, breathing being. Tall is her body, strong is her love.”

Honouring that, she said that she wanted to write a picture book to connect children to its magic.

These sentiments were echoed by Illustrator Susanne Heitz, who is originally from Germany but spent many years in Dominica where she brought up her children. Her powerful visual skills and wonderful understanding of colour matches Petrea’s poetic and lyrical text. Addressing the audience at the launch she said, “I am so grateful to get the opportunity to pour all my love for Dominica into the illustrations in this book.”

The book has already received endorsements and reviews, including from Trish Cooke, the British-Dominican children’s writer who said: “A beautifully illustrated poetic depiction of an island I love with all my heart.”

And Summer Edward, a key critic of Caribbean children’s literature, commented that the illustrations “authentically capture the magical ambiance of the Caribbean.”

Polly Pattullo, the publisher of Papillote Press, said how delighted she was that the book was now physically in Dominica – its true home – and that the title was apt because, she said, “We all know that Dominica is the sweetest of all islands.”

The book is currently on sale at Zeb Kweole in the Old Market, Roseau, and Jay’s, Independence Street. Cost: $25. Further information/sales from the publisher: 1 767 295 1563.