Presented by Jayme Gough

• Originally inhabited by the Taino Indians, Jamaica was “discovered” by Christopher Columbus in 1494 and settled by the Spanish in the 16th century.• Taino’s were gradually exterminated and replaced with African slaves.•The British seized control of the island in 1655 and established plantation economy of sugar, cocoa and coffee.

•It remained under British control until 1962.•Famous for Sandals resorts, Bob Marley, Usain Bolt and Reggae Music.

Jamaica is slightly smaller than Connecticut.

Population: 2,804, 332 Life expectancy: males 71.8,

females 75.38Ethnic Groups:

91.2% black, 6.2% mixed, 2.6% other or unknown

Language: English, English patois (a Creole of English)

Literacy: 87.9%

Ian Randle Publishers, Ltd. Scholarly, academic books, focusing in

history, gender studies, politics, and sociology, contemporary issues about the Caribbean.

http://www.ianrandlepublishers.com/index.php/New-Releases/View-all-products.html

Plans to publish more mainstream books including more Children’s Literature.

University of the West Indies Press Scholarly works and textbooks Many on information unique to Jamaica

and the Caribbean.LMH Publishing Limited

Described in the phonebook as “a Jamaican publisher of general and educational books” but could not find more information online about them.

SunZone Publishes workbooks, coloring books, and children’s

picture books Their skills books contain facts about Jamaica Website:

http://www.sunzonebooks.com/cgi-bin/shop.pl/SID=1237219535.80516/page=story_details.html

Age: 3 Years and OlderHave tons of fun colouring familiar Jamaican animals such as cow, horse, donkey, pig, and goat; as well as less familiar ones such as hutia, crocodile, bat, snail, and manatee

Anansi and FamilyAnansi and “Fools”Anansi and FriendsThe Adventures of Sly MongooseThe Jonkonnu Mask and Other

Survival StoriesBrother Anansi Trickster StoriesClassic Caribbean StoriesDuppy Conquering Spooky StoriesMany many more.

In Jamaican folklore, duppies are said to haunt the living. This collection of spooky stories is essentially about encounters with the great unknowns. Read, but try not to be scared, by the antics of Tumpa-tail Mare, Rolling Calf, Grandy Beard-O, Dog Duppy, Old Hige, Bull Buck the Duppy Conquerer, and Gungo Peas Duppy.

This collection of stories about Sly Mongoose and how he tries to trap others so that he alone can benefit. Sly Mongoose gets caught in Brukfoot's Kitchen, or tries to trick Ram Goat, chickens, Pretty Parrot, Muss-Muss Rat, Stray Dog, and Clever Cat. Sly Mongoose is selfish, greedy, and vain; but at the same time he is also intelligent, cunning, and slippery. 

The story takes us through the entire alphabet with food, place names, or things associated with the island. At the top of each page are letters to help young children learn their ABCs.

While the story below will help older children learn about Jamaican food, place names, and heritage. The clever narrative and informative text allow children to share in unique details and capture the essence of things Jamaican.

Things we wouldn’t see in an alphabet book here:old kerosene pans, naseberries, patty, rice-and-peas, bammy (deep fried cassava bread) and yampi (a type of yam).

Hazel D. Campbell: writes children’s books that use Jamaican patois in the dialogue

Some titles: Tillie Bummie, Ramgoat Dashalong: Magical Tales form Jamaica, Juice Box and Scandal.

Some dialogue from Tillie Bummie from a story called Hurricane Charley:

"A glad fi see you light. A didn't know which way a was going!" He was followed by Mac, the boy who helped in the shop.        "Lawd, Beatrice," he exclaimed when he saw her. "A glad you safe!  So much water pon the road, me nearly wash way."        Uncle's forehead had a gash in the middle with bloody water oozing from it. A limb from a guinep tree had split the shop in two, and he had been cut by a piece of board.        "Lawd have mercy!" Mama exclaimed when she saw him. 

Books about environmental issues pertaining to Jamaica.

All of Campbell’s books are published by LMH publishing.

Grace Hallworth’s Cric Crac: A Collection of West Indian Stories

A favorite from my childhood.

It includes stories from across the Caribbean, including several about the tricksters such as Anansi, and stories about how the starts came to be in the sky, how the turtle got his cracked shell, and some stories with West Indian morals.

She also wrote and edited many other books and collections such as Sing Me a Story, Mouth Open, Story Jump Out, Dancing to the River, Going to School, Gracie’s Cat, and Carnival.

The Jacob Ladder by Gerald Hausman and Uton Hinds

Won the Notable Social Studies Trade Books for Young People, 2002.

Based in 1960’s Jamaica on actual events that happened to the author.

Book about a 12-year-old named Tall-T who is forced to help his family get food on the table when his father abandons them. He takes refuge in the library as he tries to understand his father, his culture, and his life.

Steeped in Jamaican lore and language with references to Obeah (Jamaican witch craft), Jonkonnu (an annual carnival).

The Season for Mangoes by Regina Hanson (grew up in Jamaica, lived in Jamaica, now lives in Colorado)

Best Children’s Book of the Year, 2005. Notable Social Studies Trade Books for Young People, 2006, Americas Award for Children’s and Yound Adult Literature 2005

About a little girl’s first sit-up, a Jamaican tradition that celebrates the life of a loved one that died. A little girl wants to share her story about finding the perfect mango for her grandmother but she is afradi she won’t be able to tell it without crying.

Anansi and the Spider Man by Philip M. Sherlock

Published in 1954, this is one of the first books that tells Anansi Tales.

Anansi is sometimes a man and sometimes a spider, but always a trickster.

Originally of West African descent, and the stories were transmitted to the Caribbean through the slaves.

Illustrated by Marcia Brown who was a Caldecott winner in 1955 and 1962.

Everywhere, Faces, Everywhere by James Berry (Jamaican author who now lives in England)

Contains 46 poems about Berry’s childhood in Jamaica and his adult life in England.

Poems address hunger, racism, inner-city conflict, music, dance, sun-worship, carnival, graffiti artists, and love.

Great for middle schoolers.

Not a Copper Penny in Me House: Poems from the Caribbean by Monica Gunning (born in Jamaica, now living in California)

Collection of fifteen poems that reflect on the simple pleasures of life. Some poems present the issue of poverty but overall the book is joyful.

Illustrated by Frane Lessac who lived in the Carribean for many years, bringing authenticity to the artwork.

Good for ages 5-9

There are books available that are published for Jamaican children in Jamaica , but they must be bought directly from the Jamaican publishing companies because they aren’t found here.

Common themes: joy, poverty, the trickster, Jonkonnu, tropical fruits and vegetables unique to the region, and family.

This tiny country has produced a rich, and unique collection of literature.