January 7, 2021 – Two Antigua & Barbuda authors, Joanne C. Hillhouse and Barbara A. Arrindell, have books released in the Internationally renowned Collins Big Cat Children’s Series.

According to their website, The Collins Big Cat books “supports every primary child on their reading journey from phonics to fluency. Top authors and illustrators have created fiction and non-fiction books children love reading. … There are reading notes in the back, comprehensive teaching and assessment support, and ebooks available.” 

Before 2020, the range of Collins Big Cat authors did not offer the Caribbean perspective. A protracted effective lobby by regional representatives/agents of Harper-Collins publishers eventually convinced the group to explore the option to include stories from our region. 

The books by Arrindell and Hillhouse join the first batch of Caribbean stories, reflecting the Caribbean lifestyle in the publications.

Set in the Caribbean, The Jungle Outside by Joanne Hillhouse tells the story of Dante and his grandmother, Tanti, as they explore Tanti’s garden. At first reluctant, Dante soon comes to realise the adventures that await him outside, and we follow them as he climbs trees, tastes fruit, and finally notices the nature around him. Beautifully illustrated by Danielle Boodoo Fortuné, this book is a visual feast that will feed the imagination of young readers. It encourages children to get outside and explore, to look at things differently, and to face their fears. 

Joanne shared that the storyline for the book was developed from her recollections of interactions between her mother and her nephew when he was younger. Those recollections were the spark from which the storyline evolved. The Jungle Outside is Hillhouse’s third picture book and seventh fiction book.  Her books have been a Burt Award for teen/young adult Caribbean literature finalist (Musical Youth), an official selection for the Governor’s Summer Read Challenge in the USVI (With Grace), among other distinctions.

In Barbara Arrindell’s Turtle Beach, a young girl is excited to go to a restaurant with her parents to celebrate her birthday. While she’s there, she sees baby turtles trying to find their way to the ocean. Witnessing this magical event, she also learns how humans can interfere with the hatchlings’ journey and why they need to take action to help them reach the water.

This beautifully illustrated book by Antigua Barbuda-born Zavian Archibald (definitely another story to be told) is a story that raises awareness of how simple acts can impact vulnerable creatures like turtles. While this story is set in the Caribbean, it goes beyond the Caribbean and highlights environmental issues of interest to everyone.

Barbara’s swimming hobby and love of beaches strongly influence this children’s book. She shared her reflection on how COVID-19 has impacted the acknowledgment of the milestone of another book published. As the owner-manager of Best of Books, she was party to various events to mark the roll-out of new publications: midnight launch and other themed events through which authors could draw a local audience to their latest publications. 

She also shared that, though not a freshly minted published author, her previous outings were self-publications and would not garner the widespread distribution that being a part of the Collins Big Cat provides. 

Congratulations to our two authors on this international milestone!!