As the Akada Children’s Book Festival (ACBF) returns for its eighth edition, its mission has become increasingly urgent: to ensure that African children grow up reflecting in the stories they read. Founded by renowned children’s author and literacy advocate, OlubunmiAboderin Talabi, the festival has evolved into Nigeria and arguably Africa’s largest children’s literary gathering and a powerful cultural movement championing indigenous storytelling, literacy and identity formation.
In this interview, Talabi reflects on the psychology of representation, the launch of the new Akada Reading Ambassador Programme, the battle for children’s attention in a digital world, and why building a lasting reading culture must begin at home. Sunday Okobi brings the excerpt.
You’ve been a passionate advocate for creating books that let African children see themselves. Why is it so crucial for a child’s psychological and social development to read a story about a ‘Tobi’ or ‘Amaka’ in Lagos, rather than just stories about snow, castles, and foreign cities?
Culturally relevant stories are vital for self-esteem, self-awareness and self-identity. And this can begin as early as picture books and board books. You can start instilling a sense of cultural belonging from the very beginning.
