A Wigan mum has turned acclaimed author of books for children with educational messages on good living
Books that teach children how to cope with some of the challenges of life and understand things from other people’s points of view are proving a big hit for a Wigan mum-turned-children’s author.
Tokesi Akinola has just published What if your Cup, her third story for youngsters aged from about five to 12, which encourages them to think about how much screen time they take in a day at the expense of doing more sociable things and the risks over-use poses to their safety.
It humorously imagines what would happen if an inanimate object like a cup was awake all night on its phone or tablet and was too tired and grumpy to be able to fulfil its normal function of providing its owner with something out of which to drink.
The 34-year-old Scholes mum of three was inspired to take up literature for younger people while completing a masters degree in education and early childhood which drew her attention to the obstacles and issues they encounter as they develop.
She said: “Parents may not always be able to communicate explanations in ways that children can understand.
"I use things that children see around them – like a cup – as a means of teaching them.
"What if your Cup came from my commuting on a crowded bus and a young boy got on board. He was holding a rail with one hand among all these people and yet was still comfortable playing a game on his phone with the other. And sometimes when I drop my children off at school, you see others with their faces in their phones while they walk oblivious to the risks this could pose to their safety.
"It’s fast becoming an issue that needs to be raised and children need to be involved in the conversation.
"They need to be aware of how wrong and risky it would be for a bus driver or a medical professional to be on their phones while working. They can’t fulfil their purpose unless concentrating properly.
"I use everyday items that children use to project that lesson. It’s a good way of starting a conversation between parents and children about screen time.”
Tokesi’s first book, Sarah’s Perfect Gift, deals with the bullying of a young girl because she has protruding eyes who has a good family who step in and remind her she can surmount these attacks.
The author drew on her own childhood experiences of being mocked for having an unduly deep voice which at first caused her to withdraw into herself.
The second book, Show me your Friends, deals with how people may perceive you differently from how you really are.
Tokesi also runs a community interest company called Awaken the Lion which encourages youngsters to read and write more and give them a sense of purpose by publishing their works.
A recent publication is The Greedy Sailor by her own son Micah.
What if your Cup is available from Amazon and from Tokesi’s website tokesiakinola.com.