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A More Significant Project
Flowers, Plants and Fascinating Facts is a bilingual illustrated children’s book that teaches readers about different plants, from everyday ones like dandelions to exotic East African plants like the blue waterlily. What inspired you to create this wonderful book?
Recalling the past interview with your platform on my book Alphabet of Flowers as a smaller version of a bilingual children’s project I was working on. Well, the bigger version of that book is this one.
For a long time, I harboured a deep wish to illustrate a book myself. After our son was born, I sketched a lot using wax crayons. Occasionally, I shared some flower sketches on Instagram. A fellow writer and educator in Tanzania suggested writing a book using those sketches. Because I love botany, I tested the waters by publishing Alphabet of Flowers. The success of that book encouraged me to embark on a more significant project, which resulted in the publication of Flowers, Plants and Fascinating Facts.
What ideas were important for you to share in this book?
I recognised the need to write a book that considers the natural environment of my home country, Tanzania. I wanted the book to carry familiarity when read by an African child. Besides the colourful drawings I did, I sought knowledge from a botanist and vegetation expert from Tanzania who guided me on endemic species, and I have acknowledged him in the book.
Tanzania’s official languages are Kiswahili and English. Most plants are known globally in English or by their scientific name, even those native to East Africa. Some plants lacked Kiswahili names and we maintained the names in local dialects. For those that we could not identify in either Kiswahili or the local dialect, we resorted to the process of “kutohoa,” which is pronouncing foreign words in the national language of Kiswahili. For example, Hydrangea became Mhaidangea. As I write this, my application to the National Kiswahili Council (BAKITA) to certify the Kiswahili language used in the book is approved.
How did you decide what plants and flowers to include in your book?
Initially, I listed random flowers I knew from Tanzania and abroad. Later, I added trees and even vegetables to create an array of flowers. The decision of what to include was as mentioned above, i.e., I wished to feature more flowers and plants endemic to Tanzania. However, I also grasped the importance of including some non-endemic types to enhance readers’ exposure and spark more curiosity in the subject.
What is the next book that you are working on and when will it be available?
I have a few prose and poetry manuscripts, and I work on them simultaneously. Besides that, I am also co-authoring two projects with other writers.
I may complete a manuscript but that does not mean it will be the one to be published soon. The decision of what to publish next is determined by readiness on my end based on factors such as publishing timeline, budget, and developments related to the subject.
Author Links: GoodReads | Medium | Website
Flowers, Plants and Fascinating Facts / Maua, Mimea Na Ukweli Wa Kuvutia
Ever wondered about all the hidden wonders of plants and flowers? Well, Flowers, Plants and Fascinating Facts by Gloria D. Gonsalves will give you a crash course in nature’s best-kept secrets! This colorful children’s book is a perfect read for curious young minds. From the quirky African tulip tree, which is like a natural squirt gun for kids, to the mysterious corpse flower that smells bad, this book brims with fun facts about plants from all over the world, especially Africa. It’s bilingual too, presenting names and descriptions in English and Kiswahili.
The book is educational, and the writing is clear and simple, which is perfect for younger readers. And honestly, I learned something myself—did you know banana flowers can be eaten or used as medicine?
The facts shared throughout this picture book are enlightening, with a delightful mix of everyday plants we know (dandelions, daisies) and exotic ones we wish we could see up close, like the blue waterlily from East Africa that smells like fancy perfume. There’s also an eco-friendly angle to the book. The bamboo page gave a feel-good fact about how bamboo helps the environment by sucking up lots of carbon dioxide. Gonsalves doesn’t just present a list of plants, she sparks curiosity about their roles in ecosystems and cultures.
Visually, the bilingual layout is a fantastic touch. It not only celebrates cultural diversity but makes the picture book feel like an adventure through Tanzania’s stunning flora. The hand-drawn artwork that accompanies each plant is bursting with color and will surely capture young readers’ attention, drawing them deeper into each fascinating fact. You get the descriptions in both languages, English and Kiswahili, making it a multicultural experience.
I’d recommend Flowers, Plants and Fascinating Facts to young nature explorers, teachers looking to liven up botany lessons, or anyone who loves learning about our leafy friends in an engaging and playful way.
Pages: 169 | ASIN : B0DHZB27SW
LITERARY TITAN 