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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
Be Proud of Your Roots
Even Flowers Know That Water Is Useless Without Roots is a very personal collection of stories and memories for you. How hard was it to put this collection out in the world for people to read?
I enjoyed putting this book together; consequently, it wasn’t hard. However, writing all the fitting pieces in the final manuscript took many years. Patience was essential because not everything included happened during my growing up. Some of the writing is from knowledge and events as latest as this year, i.e., 2023.
What were some ideas that were important for you to share in this book?
When writing this book, I was reliving and sharing our culture, our food, the diversity in our people, our natural resources and invoking meaning in the mundane. As a descendant of Tanzania, I was keen to avoid cliché and stereotypical perceptions of my motherland and its continent. Ultimately, how I chose to convey my endearment of Tanzania and Africa was deliberately subjective and important.
What do you hope readers take away from the experience of reading your collection?
I hope readers will learn to be proud of their roots and get curious to know more about who they are. Above all, learning about other cultures is important as a collective human race, and my book offers an opportunity to gain exciting and unforgettable knowledge about Tanzania and Africa.
What is the next book that you are working on, and when will it be available?
This year is about very personal projects, and the next book is about a vulnerable subject as a woman.
Author Links: GoodReads | Website
Meanwhile, children skipped their favourite kamba game, and others raced on a wooden tricycle to catch a grasshopper. Our neighbour wafted soil scent as she wetted the mud floor before sweeping it. My body adorned in a pair of kanga, the breeze knew well of the nostalgia I carry.
It was not a dream. I was homesick, and only writing would remedy my longings.
Moving away from the land you were born in alters you into a migrant and a wanderer, seeking what is not fully known until experienced and missed.
This collection brings together various memories, experiences, and observations of my homeland, Tanzania. The subjects range from natural resources, love, food, and culture to self-pride. You will learn about the wealth and diversity of Tanzania’s people, culture, and natural resources. This book is an ode to Tanzania and a subtle memoir by its descendant.
Home and Belonging
Finding Andy’s Home follows the adventurous journey of a curious tortoise and his clever cat friend as they traverse Germany, unraveling secrets and learning about themselves in a quest to discover Andy’s origins. Why was this an important book for you to write?
Unlike Andy, the tortoise, I am an immigrant who knows where I come from. The subject of home and belonging wherever one finds themselves is universal. Nostalgia and lack of belonging are triggers for any immigrant. I wanted to write a book that, if anyone read it, they would find comfort in knowing that an unlikely friendship can make one feel at home even when away from home.
You chose to set the story in Germany and include aspects of immigration and travel. What led you to incorporate these themes, and what do you hope young readers take away from them?
On 29 April 2015, a story was published in The Local (a German online magazine) titled “Munich Police Save Giant Tortoise From Train Tracks.” I recall thinking about where that tortoise was heading to. Was it lost or wanted to escape? And where was home? Meanwhile, this newsworthy story happened in the background of events that shook the global community: 2015 saw the largest exodus of people fleeing the Syrian Civil War and the Germanwings plane crash. These two events fixated the subjects of immigration, home, and travel into my mind.
I hope this story will teach young readers to be open-minded about making friends outside their comfort circle. I, too, have to remind myself that home can be the friends I make.
How did you and illustrator, Silja Schüler, collaborate to ensure that the illustrations beautifully emphasized the storyline? Can you share any insights into the creative process behind the visual aspects of the book?
This book was my second collaboration with Silja. I prefer to give an illustrator the freedom to visualize the story first without me meddling with initial instructions. After seeing the sketches, we discuss changes and improvements before painting.
What is the next book that you are working on, and when will it be available?
I have a few ongoing projects but have committed this year to poetry. The next book will be available hopefully before the end of this year.
Author Links: GoodReads | Website | Amazon
Können eine Schildkröte und eine Katze trotz ihrer Unterschiede Freunde sein? Andy ist eine afrikanische Riesenschildkröte, die als Haustier nach Deutschland kommt. Dort trifft er die Hauskatze Audi. Trotz ihrer Unterschiede werden sie enge Freunde. Gemeinsam machen sie sich auf den Weg, mehr über Andys Herkunft zu erfahren. Begleiten Sie die beiden Freunde bei ihren Abenteuern. Zeigen Sie Ihren Kindern, wie wichtig es ist, dem Anderen offen und freundlich zu begegnen und ermutigen Sie sie, Fragen zu stellen.
Finding Andy’s Home Auf Der Suche Nach Andys Zuhause
Andy the tortoise wants one thing and one thing only. He would give anything to know about his first home. He remembers bits and pieces of his past, but he yearns to find out more about who he really is. His friend Audi the cat knows just enough about Andy to share that he is a spurred tortoise. With this information in hand, the two set out to do a little digging and determine Andy’s origins. The pair, with nothing but determination and curiosity in hand, find themselves traveling from the railroad tracks to, strangely enough, the immigration office. Will they leave with answers or more questions?
Finding Andy’s Home, written by Gloria D. Gonsalves and illustrated by Silja Schuler, is a fictional children’s book based on the life of an African tortoise who finds himself in Germany wondering about his home. Franziska Maciszonek, the translator, provides readers with the unique opportunity to experience Andy and Audi’s adventure in both English and German.
Andy and Audi are fast friends, and their odd couple dynamic makes them both a delightful and memorable pair for young readers. Gonsalves’s short chapter book makes for an interesting read as it includes references to pop culture meshed seamlessly with facts about tortoises encompassed in a well-written animal fantasy. I appreciated the softness of Schuler’s illustrations. Each one beautifully emphasizes Gonsalves’s sweet storyline.
I can see Finding Andy’s Home, written by Gloria D. Gonsalves and illustrated by Silja Schuler’s fitting well into a thematic unit on tortoises or serving as a paired text for a book like Roald Dahl’s Esio Trot. Teachers and homeschool parents alike will delight in Gonsalves’s educational contribution and Schuler’s lovingly-crafted illustrations.
Pages: 46 | ASIN: B0B73ZYC1N
EVEN FLOWERS KNOW THAT WATER IS USELESS WITHOUT ROOTS: Poetry, Essays, and Stories
Even Flowers Know That Water Is Useless Without Roots by Gloria D. Gonsalves is a multifaceted literary journey divided into two captivating sections. The first one immerses the reader in a collection of poignant, vibrant, and gripping poems, all of which narrate the author’s life experiences growing up in Tanzania. Gonsalves, who proudly exhibits her Tanzanian roots, vividly captures the essence of her culture, shedding light on notable individuals, personal experiences, educational environments, and distinguished landmarks.
The book’s second section transitions to an eclectic mix of short stories, encapsulating a wide range of themes. From the thrills of travel to the trials and tribulations of growing up, from unique glimpses into her professional life to the delightful inclusion of an exquisite prawn recipe, Gonsalves weaves a diverse narrative. Some of the poems are written in the author’s native language, providing an enriching cultural immersion, with English translations ensuring accessibility for all readers. This dual narrative structure offers the reader a comprehensive overview of life in Tanzania and a personal window into Gonsalves’s world.
My appreciation for African culture was invigorated as I delved into the pages of this book. The richness, uniqueness, and captivating allure of the culture, paired with the warmth and hospitality of its people, resonate throughout the text. Gonsalves’s profound love for her homeland is palpable in each detail she meticulously shares. While the narrative primarily focuses on Tanzanian culture, the universal themes and experiences relayed in the book will resonate with a broad range of readers, particularly those from other African nations.
Gonsalves’s ability to translate her emotions into evocative storytelling is genuinely commendable. Beyond the fluidity of the poetry, the short stories offer delightful interludes that paint vivid portraits of her life journey, spanning her early years, experiences of growth, and adulthood transitions.
Even Flowers Know That Water Is Useless Without Roots is an enriching read that educates about Tanzanian culture and inspires readers to engage with the beauty of poetry. I discovered new aspects of Tanzanian culture and even picked up some phrases in the local language. I wholeheartedly recommend this book to anyone with a love for poetry and an interest in African culture. So, why wait? Let’s embark on a fascinating exploration of Tanzania through Gonsalves’s luminous writing!
Pages: 196 | ASIN : B0C9LSMRFZ
Alphabet of Flowers
Alphabet of Flowers by Gloria D. Gonsalves is a beautiful picture book for preschool through elementary level readers. Each page is a letter of the alphabet with a different flower, a few facts about the flower, and a crayon drawing of the flower. After the letter Z, there is a summary table with each flower’s name and its picture for a quick look at them all. Then there are a few activities at the end for children to do to review all the different flowers.
The first thing that readers will discover about this exceptional picture book is the artwork. It jumps off the page with vibrant colors and simplicity. Children will love seeing the illustrations done in a medium they have access to and can try and copy the flowers. Of course, this is encouraged by the author! The standard format for each page is excellent as well. It would make it easy to use this book when teaching about the alphabet and be easily turned into a lesson plan.
I was impressed with the variety of included flowers; many are ones I have not heard of before, and they are fascinating. The simple facts are interesting but not overwhelming for children. The language is easy to understand and flows well, keeping the same format for each page. This writing style, repetition, is perfect for the younger readers but is not overly simplified so that older children would lose interest.
Alphabet of Flowers is a stunning picture book introducing young readers to the wide variety of flowers that are out in the world. It also serves as a unique way to teach the alphabet to preschool and kindergarteners. In addition, teachers and homeschoolers could easily turn this book into a complete unit study on flowers with the activities included in the book for review.
Pages: 44 | ASIN : B09VX8N9QL
LITERARY TITAN 