African Picture Book Author Spotlight: Emily Joof
Meet Gambian and Malian children’s book author Emily Joof!
I first connected with Emily back in 2011. She was a West African working in the international education space. I was starting my career and seeking advice on entering the field of international education. Emily, not only answered my questions but served as a mentor.
When I found years later that Emily has published a children’s book, I was thrilled! Her professional background is deeply situated in the education space, starting from her years as an early childhood and elementary school teacher to her more recent work in the international development industry as an Education Advisor in multilateral organizations.
I asked Emily to share her story and journey to becoming a children’s book author. She discusses her writing, her advice to new children’s book authors, and her exciting new projects.
For some background, tell us a bit about yourself. Where you are from and what you do?
I live in Stockholm, Sweden. I am married to my husband Charles and we have two brilliant children, Ella (6yrs old) and Louis ( 3yrs old in two weeks). I am an Education Advisor who works in international development. I have always been passionate about development work, specifically working with children and youth. I have been lucky enough to build a career doing something that means so much to me. I am also an author of children's books and recently self-published my first book, Mangoes & Monkeybread, in English and Swedish.
When did you first become interested in writing for children and did you always know you wanted to write African heritage books?
Inclusion has always been at the heart of everything I do but I only recently linked it to children’s literature. I blog about diversity in children's books and try to provide some nuance to the larger conversation. It is important for me to remind us all that inclusion is a human right, one that we promised children everywhere through the United Nations Convention on the Right of the Child. So, we should not only do ‘inclusion,’ from the goodness of our heart, or when we have time, or when we have room for diversity. We have an obligation to every child, to ensure that they feel reflected, that they feel loved, cared for, protected and heard.
Diversity in children’s literature became the answer to one of my most challenging moments in life. Like all children, my daughter then aged 4, struggled to find a space where she felt she belonged. She didn’t feel part of the norm, she felt unpretty, she didn’t want to be brown, she didn’t want to be different anymore. This universal experience of otherness was amplified by a mainly homogenous Scandinavian environment. And the one thing that lifted her spirits and got her singing again, was books. I had spent hours ordering books, talking to librarians, reading to her, reminding her of the beauty in her brown, and sparkle in her curls. The message got through one page at a time. Reading has become our ritual and our remedy. So, we read more and I blogged more.
What is your inspiration behind writing Mangoes and Monkeybread?
Ditakh fruit which grows in Senegal and the Gambia. Photo credit: Afrizar African Market Place
One spring after a wonderful trip to The Gambia, filled with amazing moments with their grandparents, my kids asked for a bedtime story that had mangoes in it. Ella wanted to see the ‘spikey fruit’ she had eaten from grandma’s tree. She wanted to see the frozen green ditakh, that had been ordered just for her. .So I started my search again and realized there wasn’t a single children’s book out there, that showed some of the fruits native to West Africa that I myself had eaten pretty much every day when I was their age.
So I compiled our memories and discussions and Mangoes & Monkeybread was born. I realized there must be generations of children from the West African diaspora who couldn’t find themselves in the narratives available.
I want to share our stories as far and wide as I can. In my house we read about galaxies, about sushi, we learn about nomads and Latin American festivals, we open up our children’s world and encourage to discover. We want African diasporan culture, colors, stories, to be part of that journey of discovery for all children.
You published your books while based in Europe. Do you think there are any unique challenges to publishing and marketing a book while based on the continent? What are they and how did you overcome them?
Although I see slow but sure changes in the trend. I have found it hard to publish and market my book via the traditional route. There seems to be less of an interest in the theme I was offering. There also appears to be a prevailing narrative that African heritage books are for African heritage children. Books are for all children, we all have different perspectives and interpretations from the stories we read, some more than others. As we struggle to be more inclusive with our storytelling, we must also be inclusive with our audience.
Did you have any fears or self-doubts when writing an African heritage children’s book? What were they and how did you overcome them??
To be honest I didn’t have any apprehensions. As I was primarily writing for my children, it was simple for me of sharing a part of my heritage. I soon learned that there was so much to learn in terms of publishing a book! Writing the story is only the first step.
What advice do you have for authors writing African heritage children’s books?
Persevere and be true to yourself. Be firm I knowing that your story is important and worth telling. When you hit a wall or a ‘no’ find an alternative, learn new skills and do it yourself. Also, find a tribe of like-minded people who can guide you and cheerlead through your journey.
What is your favourite African heritage children’s book?
The Snowy Day is incredibly beautiful and I love the space it offers me and my children to create a narrative and have a discussion. Living in Sweden it is one of our favorite winter depictions.
Baby Goes to Market is also a big favourite. The colors and vibrant energy from each illustration always make me feel warm inside.
Any advice on how people can encourage children to read more diverse books?
Talk to librarians, they are the gatekeepers to a magical world of books. They can host events, invite authors and recommend books that are sure to keep the little ones interested.
What are you working on next? Are there any other African heritage children’s books that you have written?
My next book in 2020 will be for younger children to celebrate their human right to inclusion, promised through the United Nations Convention on the Right of the Child.
Three Fun Facts
I am a big Disney nerd! I know pretty much every movie and every song.
I had no long term goals to become an author. It simply happened and as long as I enjoy the process I will continue to write children’s books.
I can’t swim, despite loving the water and living by the sea for many years, I still haven’t learned how to get from point A to point B without drowning lol.. working on fixing this though.
Books by Emily Joof
Connect with Emily: PROFESSIONAL INSTAGRAM | FACEBOOK| WEBSITE