Book celebrating Dominica’s culture released

Publishing house Little Bell Caribbean has released its latest title, I Am Dominica /Mwen sé Donmnik.

Penned by Mara Etienne-Manley, the book is a poetic tribute to her beautiful homeland with stunning original artwork by Aaron Hamilton.

Etienne-Manley’s rhythmic prose gives the book a gentle and soothing tempo, ideal for reading out loud. The colorful and content-rich artwork by Hamilton serves as a perfect complement to this expressive work filled with local flavor.

From Bèlè and Bouyon to Carnival and Creole in the Park, I Am Dominica / Mwen sé Donmnik celebrates the richness and variety of Dominica’s nature, culture, and history like it has not been celebrated in book form before.

Using a gentle, kid-friendly vocabulary, the book addresses the need for children to understand their natural and cultural environments as well as the importance of identity.

Young readers will be delighted by the effortless way in which images and words dance to create vivid pictures for the eyes and mind. Whales, beaches, dolphins, mountains, waterfalls, carnival scenes, callaloo, roasted breadfruit, dasheen and titiwi jump from the page, calling the reader to celebrate the magic and beauty of Dominica.

Etienne-Manley’s message, “I am Dominica, Mwen sé Donmnik” did not fall short. With the assistance of the Ministry of Education, which showed interest in supporting the project from the very start, the text is fully translated into Creole.

The translation by Kaywana Fontaine and Gregory Rabess transforms the book into a small treasure. The bilingual component reflects the seriousness and commitment of the people involved in the project towards creating a book that respects andcelebrates all aspects of Dominica’s culture, including its rich linguistic heritage.

I Am Dominica /Mwen sé Donmnik encourages readers to appreciate the great gift that it is to grow up bilingual. The book is also a gentle reflection on the meaning of home, country, culture and heritage.

I Am Dominica / Mwen sé Donmnik contains maps, a glossary of terms, and a brief history of the country. Teachers (or any adult reading the book with children) will find the extra material particularly helpful to go in-depth into the meaning of words and terms with young readers.

I Am Dominica / Mwen sé Donmnik is a book like no other, and one that no child or adult that picks it up will ever forget.

The release of I Am Dominica is the perfect way to celebrate the 30th anniversary of International Creole Day, and is a unique and wonderful opportunity to encourage reading and promote respect for the environment.

To learn more about I Am Dominica / Mwen sé Donmnik and availability, please contact Mara Etienne-Manley, at 616-1442 / 295-8137, e-mail [email protected].