Read a Carnival book

Here are some of my favourite books.

Sailor Dance: The Story by John Donaldson – The Sailor Dance is an integral part of Carnival celebrations.

Check out the story of the dance and its history in this fascinating book by Eleanor Joye Donaldson. It’s full of anecdotes from people involved in the sailor dance.

Pancho’s Dilemma and Other Stories from the Cocoa Fields by Angelo Bissessarsingh – This collection of linked stories form a novella about the sleepy southern village of Erin and the magical history that defines it. The late author’s writing style, as witnessed in his history books, is colourful and exciting – tailor-made for fiction.

The Trinidad and Tobago Field Naturalist’s Club Trail Guide – Written in collaboration with The National Herbarium of Trinidad and Tobago, The Field Naturalist’s Club Trail Guide includes descriptions of trails to hike in Trinidad and Tobago and maps that outline the trails. If you like hiking, this is the book for you.

Virtual Glimpses into the Past: Snapshots of the History of Trinidad and Tobago by Angelo Bissessarsingh.

From Corbeaux Town to San Fernando Hill, Angelo, who did so much to popularise the history of Trinidad and Tobago from his newspaper columns and his books, presents stunning pictures and action-packed stories of our nation’s history. The Merikins: Forgotten Freedom Fighters in the War of 1812 by Tina Maria Dunkley – This is one of my favourite books in my library at the moment because it is a simple and exciting history of the Merikins that children and adults can enjoy. It’s perfect for school projects and home libraries. The Merikins were runaway US slaves who had joined the British in the War of 1812.

When the British lost the war, they settled those slaves in Nova Scotia and Trinidad.

The Merikins… has exciting pictures and maps that bring the short essays in this book to life. The Merikins… should win a prize for layout.

It’s colourful, inviting, interesting, concise and reader-friendly for all readers-- children, teens and adults.

Green Days by the River by Michael Anthony – Take a plunge into nostalgia and read Anthony’s novel about the teenager Shell as he navigates his way through his difficult teens after moving to Mayaro. Green Days by the River celebrated its 50th year in publication on January 26, and a movie is coming out later this year so you don’t want to miss reading this moving, coming-of-age novel with memorable characters who have stood the test of time.

My Whole Life is Calypso: Essays on Sparrow by Gordon Rohlehr – Dr Rohlehr, the foremost expert on calypso in Trinidad captures the essence of calypso stalwart The Mighty Sparrow, not only as a person and a calypsonian, but also as an important voice in Trinidad and Tobago’s independence movement