A Truly Delightful Catalog of Books that You Should Check Out…

I wanted to take a minute today to share with you an absolutely marvelous collection of children’s books by a series of talented authors/illustrators. The imprint is The English Schoolhouse, and it is one of my favorite finds of 2016 (yes, it took me a little while to get this posted – sorry, both to my readers AND to the oh-so-patient Frenchaire, to whom I owed this post months ago…). Whether you are aware of it or not, I introduced you to The English Schoolhouse and its author, Dr. Tamara Pizzoli, last year, when I reviewed Tallulah the Tooth Fairy CEO. That was my first exposure, and it intrigued me enough to warrant further investigation and, ultimately, the decision that the results of that investigation had to be shared.

I cannot say enough good things about these books, or the people who write, illustrate, and promote them. In a world that seems to be ever devaluing children and childhood, particularly early childhood learning, they are a bright spotlight bringing attention to the universality of children’s issues even among the diversity of childhood experiences… The English Schoolhouse started life as the “coolest and best language school in Rome” (self-proclaimed, although it comes as no surprise to me to hear it described that way). The decision was made to expand upon that experience and allow it to evolve into a boutique publisher (based in Texas, run in Rome – Italy, that is, not Georgia or New York – which gives you a nutshell picture of the diverse experiences and expectations on the table) and soon to be multi-platform distributor of delightful children’s entertainment and education. They also run a YouTube channel – and the videos are exactly as lovely as I would have expected…

Today I’m going to tell you about a few of their books – but you should definitely check out their website and channel for yourself, both now and on an ongoing basis, to see what else they have to offer. Believe me, you won’t be disappointed… You can find information on all of the books through The English Schoolhouse website; they are also available through Amazon (those are the links provided below, as the actual website format doesn’t allow me to directly link to each title separately).

The Ghanaian Goldilocks: Set in Accra, Ghana, The Ghanaian Goldilocks is a modern twist on the classic Goldilocks fairytale. Like traditional kente cloth, West African culture and themes are woven seamlessly into the story of a boy with sun lightened hair named Kofi, better known to his friends and family as Goldilocks. Like the Goldilocks in the traditional tale, Kofi has been known to get into some trouble here and there, but it’s an unexpected visit to a neighbor’s house that teaches him a valuable lesson of a lifetime. Click here for the audiobook YouTube link.

F is for Fufu: F is for Fufu is an ABC book unlike any you’ve ever seen. Enjoy references to the modern West African tale The Ghanaian Goldilocks while learning more about the culture, people, traditions and staples of the gorgeous country of Ghana…all while practicing your ABCs.

Auntie Nappy: Nefeterius Akeli McPherson was the 39 year old fabulous, smart, and wildly capable big sister of the author. After a long battle with a rare genetic liver disease that resulted in her needing a liver transplant, she passed away in March of 2014 unexpectedly after being diagnosed with cancer only eight days prior. This book is the result of the author wanting to explain just how much her two sons’ aunt, Auntie as they call her, accomplished while alive. The book also attempts to address the concept of the cycle of life and death to a young audience. The author’s main goal in writing Auntie Nappy was to celebrate a life gorgeously lived, and to explain to her sons why they will no longer see their Auntie, of whom they were very, very fond. The YouTube audiobook link is available here.

M is for Marrakech: Come along for an alphabetical adventure around the world. Join the author and visit fascinating cities all over the planet while brushing up on your ABCs. Here is the audiobook video.

M is for Mohawk: M is for Mohawk: An Alphabet Book of Fresh Hairstyles is a fun and funky tour through the abc’s of hairdos. Enjoy the simultaneously diverse and uniform illustrations on each page and get in on the fun by drawing your own hairstyle for letter Y.

B is for Breakdancing: An ABC book all about dances. And if that doesn’t catch your eye – the subtitle should (“An ABC Book of Ways to Shake What Your Momma Gave You”)!

These are marvelous titles produced with tender loving care by a very talented author and her very talented team. They are wonderful additions to any children’s library – check them out!