Atinuke is an award-winning children’s author and traditional oral storyteller who is this year’s Children’s Story Competition Judge. Kaden James recently caught up with Atinuke to talk about the YFOS Children’s Story Competition, the inspiration behind her own books and her experience as a storyteller.
Click here to access the Festival Living Room 2 where Atinuke will be announcing the winners and runners-up of the competition.
You can find Atinuke’s books at our online bookshop here, as well as our in-person festival bookshop.
You are going to be judging the YFOS Children’s Story Competition. What excites you most about this and what will you be looking for?
I am so looking forward to reading the children’s stories. I am looking for something unexpected and something that moves me – to laughter or to tears.
The theme of this year’s short story contest (‘a day that changed the world’) opens up conversations about the power of stories and their ability to change the world for the better. Can you explain how stories can have the power to influence change?
I remember once meeting a man who had been ashamed of his childhood because it was poor and he did not even go to school. Then his kids read my “No.1 Car Spotter” books. The No.1 Car Spotter is a boy who lives in poverty and who does not go to school, but his life is full of fun and freedom and adventure. And this man’s kids loved the books. So he decided to tell them about his own childhood – herding camels in the desert. They loved hearing about it and thought it was really cool. The man’s shame disappeared. That is an example of how the power of stories can change things.
What is the most rewarding aspect of being a children’s storyteller, and why do you think storytelling is essential for young minds?
The most rewarding aspect of being a children’s storyteller is when I meet someone who has read my books – or heard my stories – and felt their life or mood changed for the better when they have been comforted or cheered up or laughed or felt prouder. It helps me feel that I am doing something to make the world a better place.
Your Anna Hibiscus series is beloved by many children. What was the inspiration behind creating this character, and what messages do you hope young readers take away from her adventures?
In the Anna Hibiscus stories I wanted to share with children what my own childhood was like on the African continent. And I hope that children all over the world enjoy spending time in her world and come away knowing how amazing Africa is.
Can you share some of your favourite childhood stories or storytellers who influenced your own storytelling style?
I was very influenced by my father’s traditional storytelling style. And also by the English author Joyce Lankester Brisley who wrote the Milly Molly Mandy stories which I read over and over again as a little girl.
Do you have any memorable or heartwarming anecdotes of interactions with young readers who have been touched by your stories?
Once a girl at a book festival in Kenya stood up and said, “Thank you for writing your books. Thank you for showing the world that we are important too”. There were about 700 children in the audience and they all stood up and clapped. It was a very moving moment for me because I remember being that age and thinking that people like me were not important because I had no books with anyone like me in them!
You are also going to be introducing yourself and your book, Brilliant Black British History, to children in KS2 on 18th October via Stories for School. What can you tell me about this event and book? What would you like people to know?
I am so looking forward to this event! I am going to be telling a short version of the book to the children. The short version of 12,000 years of Black British history! I hope children will come away knowing that there have always been black and brown children in Britain.
What upcoming projects or books can readers and fans look forward to from you?
I have a new series that starts next year called “Beti and the Little Round House”. I am very excited about this book – Beti is a cute and feisty character, the illustrations are soooo beautiful, and it is set in wild Wales where I live. There are also new picture books called “L is for Love” and “M is for Mango” coming out soon. And one day there will be more books in the “Too Small Tola” series.
Finally, what message would you like to give to children and young people who love and are interested in storytelling?
Stories are the best thing! Join a library so you can read as much as you can for free. See you if can find any real storytellers who tell stories out of their heads. And if you want to write – just do – write and write and write again – it’s the only way of getting good!
Click here to access the Festival Living Room 2 where Atinuke will be announcing the winners and runners-up of the competition.
You can find Atinuke’s books at our online bookshop here, as well as our in-person festival bookshop.
