Foluke Sijuwola Falayi is an author of over 20 books read across schools in Africa. She is also a literacy advocate. She spoke with DAVID EMOKPAE on her book, Ugo And Ify At Christmas, which is her contributions to Christmas celebrations in the continent.
What prompted the writing of this book?
“Very interesting,” she said. “Well, let me say before I wrote the book, Ugo and Ify at Christmas, I never read African story about Christmas, I saw children read foreign books talking about snow during the Christmas season, which many African children never experienced.”
Falayi said: “I was inspired to write the book, a Christmas story where there’s harmattan, visiting Santa Claus or “Father Christmas”, acting The Birth of Jesus, where love and joy fill the air: A period where we visit friends and family and travel to places. A period where children who are impoverished and wealthy ate jollof rice and chicken to their fill. A Christmas where children look forward to new shoes and clothes. Something children in this continent can relate with and not snow, which some of them have never seen.”
According to her, “there’s a theme of quest. The major character, Ugo, out of disobedience, loses something important to him through the theme of quest I reconnoitered. He finds it before the end of the book. The readers get the message of restoration, which is synonymous to Christmas.”
She said, “Ugo, like other children protagonist, is brave and smart. And like we see in reality, children sometimes, disobey and disobedience comes with consequences. Ugo learns never to disobey his parents again. Children must always listen to their parents. Love and sharing. Christmas is a time to give to others. It is a time to love. God gave His only begotten son to redeem the mankind. Jesus is the Prince of peace. The season is not the time to quarrel or fight. These themes and more are explored in the book.”
Falayi, who is the convener of Read With Me On International Literacy Day, a yearly event to commemorate international literacy day celebration, has also written books such as The Little Prince and the Sluggish Servant, The Pride of Parents, The Rainy Day, Flub, Ada in Port Harcourt, Unbending Steel, The Gift from Ibadan, Beans for Supper, Akeju’s Turnaround and The Reverend’s Daughter, remarked, “Ugo and Ify at Christmas can be read and enjoyed by all. As adults and children we learn daily.
Nonetheless, it’s a must read for every child. Parents are guarding angels to their kids, their roles can never be overemphasized. Without good parenting children can go astray. Ugo’s parents and grandparent are used as light pointing and directing him rightly throughout the book.
It’s purely an inspirational work. It portrays how our Christmas is celebrated uniquely in Africa. Young readers will learn that it pays to be obedience and disobedience comes with its own consequences. It’s pivotal to do well always.”
She has equally written children book such as A Night at Edet’s House, The Slaves in the Palace, The Headmaster’s Boy, Bond, Sam Goes to College, The Last Penny, Trouble in the Exam, Happy Time and One Two Three Poetry.
