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MY REVIEW

When I received this book I was surprised and excited at how large it was. This definitely added to the allure of the beautifully illustrated pages. It reminded of when, as a young girl, I’d go to my shelves to find something to read and inevitably I’d pull out one of the larger books. I loved the feel of it and still do.

The story is about a 9-year-old girl called Soso. It’s her birthday and she’s excited to begin celebrating, though she’s selfconcious about revealing a birthmark on her leg. She’ll learn the importance of that mark soon enough. Before the party begins she has to wait for her brother’s football practice to end. Restless, she wanders off and stumbles into a hidden kingdom. One where her birthmark identifies her as the princess and savior the people have been waiting for.

There’s much more than just a fantasy tale here. There’s  the message of being different and that’s okay, and a sense of self. Soso grew through her challenge as we’d love to see our children grow and thrive. A pure delight to read. And I know just the young lady I’ll be gifting my copy to.

5 STARS

Promoting Literacy: Empowering Children through Reading. This article can focus on the importance of literacy and the role of books like ‘Soso and the Kako Leaf’ in fostering a love for reading and enhancing children’s language and cognitive skills.

In this guest post, Bella Disu advises parents and guardians on fostering a love for reading in children. She shares strategies, recommends activities, and highlights the positive impact of reading on children’s development, using her book as an example.

‘Soso and the Kako Leaf’ encourages children to express themselves through writing, art, and imaginative play. Discuss how the story addresses emotions, empathy, and self-awareness, providing opportunities for children to learn about and manage their feelings in a relatable and age-appropriate way.

Promoting Literacy: Empowering Children through Reading 

I’m a firm believer in the transformative power of books and their profound impact on young minds. I enjoy sharing the importance of literacy and the role that books like mine (‘Soso and the Kako Leaf’) play in sparking a love for reading and honing children’s language and cognitive skills. Join me as we explore strategies to promote reading and its positive effects on children’s development.

One of the first steps in nurturing a passion for reading is creating a reading-friendly home environment. Surround children with fiction and non-fiction books that cater to their interests and age group. Make sure books are easily accessible and displayed attractively, and set aside dedicated reading time during which the entire family can read silently or share stories. By making reading a regular and enjoyable part of daily life, we can instil excitement and curiosity in children, encouraging them to explore the vast worlds that books offer.

To further enhance children’s engagement with literature, incorporate interactive activities and book discussions. For example, encourage children to participate in book clubs or reading groups where they can share their thoughts and opinions about the stories they’ve read. You can also organise creative activities related to their favourite books, from art projects to writing exercises or even acting out scenes from their favourite stories. These activities make reading a fun and immersive experience and allow children to develop critical thinking, imagination, and problem-solving skills.

Next, leverage books’ power to teach children about emotions, empathy, and self-awareness in a safe and relatable way. In ‘Soso and the Kako Leaf,’ I addressed these crucial aspects of a child’s development. The story allows children to connect with Soso, the main character, as she experiences a range of emotions and learns to navigate them. Through Soso’s journey, young readers learn about empathy, understanding others’ perspectives, and managing feelings. By exploring emotional themes such as self-confidence, my book and others like it provide children with valuable tools for self-expression and social interaction in a gentle and age-appropriate manner.

Finally, remember that reading is a catalyst for language development and cognitive growth. When children immerse themselves in books, they are exposed to new vocabulary, sentence structures, and storytelling techniques. For example, they can learn new words on every page of my book. This is not limited to older children. Reading aloud to young children helps develop their language skills, expand their vocabulary, and improve their comprehension abilities. As they grow older, encourage independent reading, allowing them to explore different genres and authors. Overall, the cognitive benefits of reading extend beyond language acquisition. Reading enhances concentration, critical thinking, problem-solving, and creativity, nurturing well-rounded individuals.

Join me in using these tips to ignite a lifelong love affair with books in the hearts of our children.