Coryn Ayana Clarke has already written and published seven books. Now the seven-year-old author will take her love for book a step further with the hosting of a book festival, on October 1, at Sound Forge, Christopher Samuel Road, Port of Spain. The Chronicles of Coryn Children’s Book Festival will feature cultural displays, a pop-up shop for authors, performances by young people and the first ever Chronicles of Coryn and Jonesy’s Literacy Foundation Literary Hero awards.
Coryn told Newsday Kids the idea for the pop-up shop came to her while she was getting ready for bed one night.
“I remember asking Mummy (journalist Dionne Baptiste-Clarke) for extra time because I was reading a book and it was at a really good part and I just had this idea pop in my head to have a pop-up shop for authors.
“The idea kinda evolved since then because it’s going to have a book village, but it’s also going to have cultural displays and a stage for other young children like me to show their talents because that’s really important too.”
Coryn said as a journalist, her mother goes to many events but there aren’t as many options for children.
“The Chronicles of Coryn Children’s Book Festival is important because it’s a safe space where children could interact with each other and rediscover the magic of reading together. The idea is to prove that reading is fun and educational and magical. I learn so much from books and I want all the children to get that too.”
Coryn is working on four more books. She said she writes for herself and others.
“I write for me because it’s fun, and I also write for my great granny Juanita because reading and writing is part of her legacy to me. She loved books too. I write to share what I learn with other children and encourage them to read and follow their own dreams too.”
She said it is important for everyone to read, both adults and children. She had a message for adults as well.
“Reading expands your mind and increases your vocabulary. You could literally learn about anything from books. I love travelling but I can’t do it as often as I’d like, so I read books about the places I want to visit. I love learning about my country and the Caribbean, our culture and our history, reading helps with that as well.
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“Reading is like the gateway to everything. I just want adults to understand that children wouldn’t like reading at all if they use it as a punishment."
She said music and theatre will be incorporated into the festival as well, since October is Calypso History Month.
“It isn’t always easy to get information about these things on the internet, so my friends will learn about some of our calypso icons, probably even meet some of them (fingers crossed) and try things like stilt walking. So this festival is kind of like a multi-purpose event.
“So remember I said this event will also provide a stage for young talent? Well it really bothers me that grownups underestimate young children like me. They don’t al
