Out-of-this-world writing from an author star
she was quiet, observant, and
bookish.
At some point shedding the
nickname, young Octavia began
to devour books on horses and
fairy tales, and she jotted down
stories of her own that never
ended. She wrote tales about
traveling to Mars and exploring
space. She created other worlds
and universes that pleased her.
She “copied boys’ books” and
the plots that she made into a
book series later.
At age thirteen, Octavia discovered
an abandoned writer’s
magazine that someone had
left on a bus seat. Curious, she
read it all. It was then that she
learned that it was possible to
make money from the stories
she told…
In latter chapters of “Star
Child,” author Ibi Zoboi explains
how she formed a friendship
with Octavia Butler, and why
she felt that she and the author
were “kindred.” It’s a story
that kids will love – what child
hasn’t dreamed of meeting the
person who wrote their favorite
tales? – and it absolutely adds
to this book. What may fall flat,
however, is its poetry.
Zoboi says that Butler told
her “Poetry simplifies” things
but here, the “biographical
speculative poems” seem to
be too full of imagery to be
helpful – particularly for kids
on the lower end of the targeted
age group for this book,
some whom may not grasp the
meanings of the fantasy-filled
stanzas.
Think twice, then, before
handing this book to a kid ages
10-13 unless you intend to help
them understand it. Older kids
and adults will appreciate it
more, especially if they’re fans
of poetry. For them alone, “Star
Child” will shine.
Grenada to stage Spicemas this year
Grenada’s Minister for Culture, Yolande Bain-Horsford.
©FAO/Carlo Perla
Caribbean Life, MARCH 4-10, 2022 25
“the greatest constant in her
life.” Her mother protected her,
and Junie wasn’t often allowed
out of the house alone. Perhaps
that was why she was a bit of a
loner, preferring her books to
almost anything else. Or she
might have been an introverted
child because she was very tall
for her age, or because she was
not a good student. Segregation
might have had something
to do with it, too. At any rate,
By Azad Ali
The Grenada government
says it will allow for a blended
approach of in-person participation
and virtual involvement,
as it announced the resumption
of carnival activities that had
been suspended over the past
two years due to the COVID-19
pandemic.
Minister for Culture, Yolande
Bain-Horsford said the celebrations
will now take place on
Aug. 8 and 9.
“I am happy that Spicemas
2022 will be on Aug. 8 and 9,
2022,” she told a press conference
last week.
She said Spicemas 2022 will
take on a blended approach with
in-house and virtual audiences,
adding that there will be heavy
emphasis on preserving the
culture and mitigating risk.
The minister said the COVID-
19 protocol will be in place, in
accordance with the national
policy.
Bain-Horsford said the government
has been very concerned
about the economic,
social and psycho-social implications
not having carnival has
had on people and if not held
for a third year, there can be
further implications.
She explained the Spicemas
Corporation (SMC), the body
for administering and managing
carnival, was mandated to
explore the possibility of having
a carnival this year, being
mindful of the COVID-19 pandemic.
The news of Spicemas 2022
came hours after the government
confirmed that the sister
isle of Carriacou will be having
its carnival celebrations ahead
of the national Lenten period,
“Star Child: A Biographical
Constellation of
Octavia Estelle Butler” by
Ibi Zoboi
c.2022, Dutton Books
for Young Readers
$16.99
128 pages
By Terri Schlichenmeyer
Twinkle, twinkle, little…
What? Natural elements,
space dust, and turbulence that
makes it all look sparkly? Or
maybe other creatures, planets,
or whole other worlds with
new ideas and inventions? In
the new book “Star Child” by
Ibi Zoboi, you’ll read about one
author who came from stars,
wondered what was beyond
them, and dared to dream
about it.
Laurice James Butler and his
wife, Octavia Margaret, tried
and tried.
Oh, how they tried to have
a child together but the stars
weren’t ready to let that happen.
It took nearly sixteen years
after they were married before
the universe said they were
ready, and little Octavia Estelle
Butler was born in June of
‘Star Child’ author, Ibi Zoboi.
1947. Just days later, a UFO
crashed in the desert near
Roswell, New Mexico; a year
after that, the big bang theory
was formulated.
Three years after her birth,
little “Junie” lost her father and
from then on, she was raised by
strong women: her grandmother,
and her mother, who was
Book cover of “Star Child.” which started on Wednesday.