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Literary Lives 12

books Local author releases ‘edu-fun’ book series for youngsters

hildren often learn by doing, “Cand they primarily do what they see,” says Teri M Bethel, the author of a newly released children’s book series, Bahama Kidz Edu-Fun Books.

Published by Inspire Publishing in the Bahamas, the first two books in the series, “Polly’s Little Secret” and “A Goat Called Billy”, are colourful rhyming picture books geared to teach children (ages 4-8) foundational elements for their personal grooming and courteous behaviour.

With 17 published books under her belt in several genres, mostly related to family enrichment or skill development, Mrs Bethel is a proponent of strong families.

As a ghost-writer and publisher, so many heartwrenching stories have crossed her path regarding the mistreatment of children. She believes it’s never too early to teach children life lessons and let them know they are valuable. Noting that each child was born for a purpose, as adults, it is our responsibility to lovingly guide them to fulfill their destiny. “This begins with foundational elements to be built upon,” the author said, “but that doesn’t mean you can’t have fun learning them.”

Among the topics covered in the book series are bullying, personal hygiene, overcoming bed-wetting, mistreatment of animals, balancing playing with reading/schoolwork, and much more.

Mrs Bethel believes that many of the lessons will encourage children to think about how they treat others and themselves. A father of two compared the books to the Royal Readers series—something that is sorely lacking yet much needed with children acting out against civil society. He found the topics necessary as a parent and believed the lessons would positively impact children early in life.

Colleen Aitken, a former pre-school teacher, homeschooling mom and writer, said the collection was cleverly penned, noting that the stories were “easy to digest, easy for kids to remember, and just all-around cute.”

Veteran Language Studies professional and Homeschool Facilitator in Eleuthera, Marguerita Matera, said “both books not only capture a practical lesson for young children but clearly are stories that present valuable content.”

What she really enjoyed were the intriguing poetic features that cause the reader to take note. Though they touch on sensitive areas in today’s society, Mrs Matera believed the stories were tactfully written.

Mrs Bethel said her books, in which she writes about timeless, relatable stories, can help parents, grandparents, guardians and teachers to strengthen families and build healthy communities.

“This series helps to build character in children and to reinforce good habits,” Mrs Bethel said.

The first two books in the series are available at Logos Bookstore and Nassau Stationers in Nassau, the Office General in Governor’s Harbour, and by ordering on Amazon.com.

AUTHOR, TERI Bethel

12 | The Tribune | Weekend Friday, September 10, 2021 literar y lives - Alexandre Dumas An author of Haitian descent who gave the world unforgettable stories of adventure

Sir Christopher Ondaatje writes about Dumas – one of the most widely read French writers whose works have been translated into many languages. His novels have been made into nearly 200 films.

“There are some situations which men understand by instinct, by which reason is powerless to explain; in such cases the greatest poet is he who gives utterance to the most natural and vehement outburst of sorrow. Those who hear the bitter cry are as much impressed as if they listened to an entire poem, and when the sufferer is sincere they are right in regarding his outburst as sublime.”

- Alexandre Dumas

Alexandre Dumas was born Dumas Davy de la Pailleterie in 1802 in Villers-Cotter ts in the department of Aisne, in Picardy, France. He had two older sisters, Marie-Alexandrine (born 1794) and Louise-Alexandrine (born 1796). Their parents were Marie-Louise Élisabeth Labouret, an innkeeper’s daughter, and Thomas-Alexandre

Dumas.

Dumas’ father, Thomas-Alexandre, was born in the French colony of Saint-Dominique (now Haiti), the mixed-race natural son of the Marquis Alexandre Antoine Davy de la Pailleterie, a French nobleman and general commissaire in the colonial artillery, and Marie-Cessette Dumas, an enslaved woman of Afro-Caribbean ancestry.

Dumas was brought to France by his father and legally freed there. Dumas’ father adopted the name “Dumas” from his slave mother after a rift with his father. Dumas was promoted to the rank of general when he was 31 years old – the first soldier of Afro-Antilles origin to reach that rank in the French army.

“Youth is the flower of which love is the fruit; Happy the gatherer who picks it after watching it slowly mature.” - Alexandre Dumas

Dumas’ father’s aristocratic rank helped his son get work with Louis-Philippe, Duke of Orléans, then as a writer, a career which spawned early success. As his father had done before him, he used his slave grandmother’s surname of Dumas. He began writing articles for magazines and plays for the theatre. His first play, Henry III and His Courts, was produced in 1829 when young Dumas was 27 years old. It achieved surprising instant acclaim. His second play, Christine, was just as popular and allowed Dumas sufficient income to write full-time.

In 1830, Dumas participated in the revolution that ousted Charles X and replaced him with the Duke of Orléans – Dumas’ former employer, who ruled France as Louis-Philippe, the ‘Citizen King’. France remained unsettled until the mid 1830s – when life slowly returned to normal. The improving economy and the end of press censorship were extremely rewarding for Alexandre Dumas’ literary skills.

‘THE COUNT of Monte Cristo’ remains a beloved classic