I started writing books in the spring of 2005. It actually did not start out as a book but as a poem which was inspired by a very (very) slow walks with my toddler grandson down a country byroad. It was a wet spring and the road was teeming with snails; to a toddler each and every one was worth an investigation and carrying home. After those spring walks, the poem and later the book Would you please fetch me a pail? was born.
My goal is to publish a book a year. In each book I add a small educational facts section after the story.
In this blog page I have listed the books with the latest publication first. Thank you for visiting and please feel free to leave any comments you wish or to contact me.
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Ping Pong
A celebration of music and beat. This rhythmic verse introduces the steel band and the types of pans that make a band. Colourful illustrations of children playing steel pans have real child appeal. The brief and beautifully illustrated historical section that follows tells how steel pans were originally made. Ping Pong is an exciting way to introduce the steel pan to children. "As a teacher and writer, I have read many accounts of the history of the steel pan, but none quite as enjoyable as "Rosa's Notes on Pan". In simple terms, Stoute provides an invaluable overview on the pan yesteryear and today. We even learn how steel pans were made in the old days! These "fact sheets" are also enhanced by colourful, beautifully rendered drawings." - Nailah Folami Imoja, Educator/Writer.
Illustrated by Suzette Humphrey and Jehanne Silva-Freimane
This book can be found at
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Anansi and Herald, The Fowl-Cock
Anansi, the spider, is sharing a tree with Herald, the fowl-cock (cockerel). Herald’s early morning crowing makes Anansi angry and he asks Herald to move to another tree. Herald refuses to do this and thereafter misfortune follows him.
This is an illustrated story of 3,000 words. It is divided into four chapters of equal length. Set on the fictional Isle of Spice the illustrations are colourful and detailed and capture the essence of an island in the Caribbean and the emotions of the protagonists in this battle of wills. Recommended reading level. Read Together: Ages 5 - 10; Read Alone: Ages 7 - 10.
Stoute explodes the myth that fowl-cocks crow just before dawn and offers an intriguing explanation for their crowing at all hours of the night and foreday morning.Silva-Freimane’s illustrations depicting the animals and landscapes of the Caribbean go beyond a physical rendition. They are funny and emotionally expressive.
Review by Summer Edward,
Anansi and Herald, The Fowl-Cock is your perfect read-aloud story. The animal characters are full of personality, the well-written plot keeps the reader or listener engaged, wanting to know the outcome of Anansi's machinations and the descriptions and dialogue do a decent job of establishing the Caribbean setting. Supplementary material at the back of the book includes a "Did You Know?' section explaining cultural references, a list of new and familiar vocabulary words, discussion questions and writing activities for children that build off of the text.
The glossy pages give glistening clarity to the vibrant, saturated tones of the illustrations; the glossy finish works particularly well with some of the luminously painted night-time scenes; even pre-readers will be attracted to the shiny pages of this book. Jehanne Silva-Freimane's illustrations have a noticeable whimsy to them, a quality akin to what you see in classic nursery rhyme illustrations. The anthropomorphic illustrations in particular are lively and often hilarious, conveying for example the bodily attitudes of a few gossiping farm hens or the smug satisfaction on the face of the cunning spider. The clever use of motion lines, perspective and other techniques lend an engaging cartoonesque element to the visual narrative, which works to really bring the story to life. Mostly illustrated with montages and vignettes, double- and full-page spreads are cleverly and appropriately saved for the establishing shot and final pages of the book.
On a personal note, I like this book because it strongly reminds me of this textbook filled with Caribbean folktale stories I had as a child in primary school. I used to love that book, textbook and all! There were stories about Anansi; I remember the centrality of a calabash gourd and another explanatory folktale about the Kingfisher-- I wish I could own that book again! Of course, I have no idea what the title of the book might be. I just remember the feeling I had reading the book as a child, the feeling of being swept up into the mythical landscape of the West Indian forest with its folk life and timeless animal tricksters. I imagine it's the same type of feeling a child might get reading Anansi and Herald, The Fowl-Cock.
Thus, I recommend it! Read Together: ages 5 and up. Read Alone: ages 7 and up. FYI: Anansi and Herald, The Fowl-Cock is a picture storybook which means it's heavier/longer on text and lighter on illustrations compared to a picture book. It is still, however, an "easy reader."
End Review
The glossy pages give glistening clarity to the vibrant, saturated tones of the illustrations; the glossy finish works particularly well with some of the luminously painted night-time scenes; even pre-readers will be attracted to the shiny pages of this book. Jehanne Silva-Freimane's illustrations have a noticeable whimsy to them, a quality akin to what you see in classic nursery rhyme illustrations. The anthropomorphic illustrations in particular are lively and often hilarious, conveying for example the bodily attitudes of a few gossiping farm hens or the smug satisfaction on the face of the cunning spider. The clever use of motion lines, perspective and other techniques lend an engaging cartoonesque element to the visual narrative, which works to really bring the story to life. Mostly illustrated with montages and vignettes, double- and full-page spreads are cleverly and appropriately saved for the establishing shot and final pages of the book.
On a personal note, I like this book because it strongly reminds me of this textbook filled with Caribbean folktale stories I had as a child in primary school. I used to love that book, textbook and all! There were stories about Anansi; I remember the centrality of a calabash gourd and another explanatory folktale about the Kingfisher-- I wish I could own that book again! Of course, I have no idea what the title of the book might be. I just remember the feeling I had reading the book as a child, the feeling of being swept up into the mythical landscape of the West Indian forest with its folk life and timeless animal tricksters. I imagine it's the same type of feeling a child might get reading Anansi and Herald, The Fowl-Cock.
Thus, I recommend it! Read Together: ages 5 and up. Read Alone: ages 7 and up. FYI: Anansi and Herald, The Fowl-Cock is a picture storybook which means it's heavier/longer on text and lighter on illustrations compared to a picture book. It is still, however, an "easy reader."
End Review
Illustrated by Jehanne Silva-Freimane
This book can be found at
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Christophore
A very different nativity story. Prince, a donkey, is very proud of his family’s history. It was his ancestor, Christophore, who carried Mary to Bethlehem. Prince recounts the long and dangerous trip. Although based on a myth of the origin of the cross on a donkey’s back, Stoute has included many interesting equine facts. Silva-Freimane’s illustrations are detailed and authentically depict landscapes of the Caribbean and the Holy Land. A wonderful gift for any boy or girl.Read Together: Ages 4 – 6; Read Alone: Ages 6 - 9.
Illustrated by Jehanne Silva-Freimane
This book can be found at
Amazon.com Amazon.co.uk Bookdepository
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Away to Bequia
Roger accepts his grandfather s invitation to sail to the neighbouring island of Bequia. It is Roger s first inter-island crossing. He is both excited and scared. The trip turns into a voyage of discovery and wonder when his grandfather sets a course towards the setting sun. NIFCA* Silver Award Winner 2008 *National Independence Festival of Creative Arts - Barbados
A review
Bequian book reviewer Cherian Gordon writes about Away to Bequia: There have been many great storybooks written from yesteryear to this present day. Of the many I have read, I must say that this one isn t just great, it s amazing. From its beautifully written words to its vibrant pictures, everything blends uniquely to form a vast image of the whole adventure in the reader s mind. You can see, feel, hear and even smell all the exotic textures in the story. The eccentric flow of rhythm and rhyme cultivates a cascade of poetic Caribbean flavor, when every word is read. The most amazing thing about the story, though, is that it is a family adventure and though today such a thing is dwindling rapidly, this writer depicts its beauty as though it happens every day. As a true Bequian, I salute June Stoute for basing this adventure as a family expedition to my blessed home and I would recommend that it be read by all children. --Caribbean Compass: February 2008.
Illustrated by Jehanne Silva-Freimane
This book can be found at
Amazon.com Amazon.co.uk Bookdepository
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Giant African Land Snails
A comic tale written in verse which shows that more than good intentions are needed to succeed. Giant African Land Snails have invaded the tiny island of Bim. Ras Spear, farmer from Fairy Vale is at his wits end trying to cope with the invasion. A neighbour gives him advice. The young farmer follows this advice and imagines being hailed as a hero but finds himself in hot water instead. Set in the Caribbean the illustrations are colourful and detailed. Read Together: Ages 4 - 6; Read Alone: Ages 6 - 9. In this book Stoute combines a comic tale with information on the Giant African Land Snail. Her goal is to encourage children to be aware of the world around them. Although the first half of the books is fictional, she weaves many topical subjects into the story like fish migration and foods enjoyed by specific nations; she offers many topics which promote discussion long after the text has been read. Silva-Freimane's illustrations are detailed and authentically depict the plants, animals and landscapes of the Caribbean. She creates synergy by using emotionally expressive cartoon type characters to amplify the comic effect.
Illustrated by Jehanne Silva-Freimane
This book can be found at
Amazon.com Amazon.co.uk Bookdepository
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Would you Please fetch me a Pail?
A picture book written in rhyme of a boy finding a way to carry home snails he collects when walking in the countryside. Set in the Caribbean the illustrations are colourful and detailed. Read Together: Ages 2 - 4; Read Alone: Ages 4 - 6. Stoute takes a playful approach to learning and introduces advanced topics in a fun simple way. The reader is invited to consider modes of transportation. Smoothly a child is introduced to homophones at a level that they can understand ... sale versus sail. The vocabulary is kept simple and the frequent repetition of ail / ale sounds make the book easy to read. Silva-Freimane's illustrations are detailed and depicts the plants, animals and landscapes of the Caribbean.
A reivew: A poetic story line, bright colours and emblematic illustrations are what parents and children can expect to see when they pick up the children's book, 'Would You Please Fetch Me a Pail? The storyline follows a young boy around the age of two as he goes on a journey to pick up snails. Children are exposed to different aspects of the environment, develop social skills, learn all about rhyming, how to pronounce words that end in ail or ale and also get a definition of key words that are used in the book. The Barbados Advocate by Patricia Thangaraj. Prizes: National Independence Festival of Creative Arts Bronze Award - Barbados
Illustrated by Jehanne Silva-Freimane
This book can be found at
Amazon.com Amazon.co.uk Bookdepository
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