CHILDREN in Jamaica and in the Diaspora can now learn their ABCs from a cultural perspective, thanks to a book penned by Olivia Carter.

Carter, who is an educator, said that her experiences in Japan as a foreign language teacher inspired her to create a book that speaks to the authentic identity and reality of Jamaican children.

“Inspiration for this came from my experience as a teacher and my experience performing. I have realised in the classroom; and this is, of course, supported by research, that language education is easier when learners can relate to the content that they are being taught.

“Real world examples must be made available to learners, especially young learners… life in Japan revealed to me the importance of being proud of your identify and also the importance of teaching your culture to the coming generation. This is something that is engrained in Japanese culture, and I wanted to be able to give that back to my own country,” Carter told the Jamaica Observer.

The 30-year-old, who hails from Bog Walk, St Catherine, argued that the Jamaican content needs to be more relatable to the children.

“I wanted when my young readers pick up their books to study their ABCs, the first thing that they are brought face to face with is the beauty of being themselves first, and then the beauty of being Jamaican. The fruits in their backyards are in their books, and that will make learning much more fun and situationally repetitive. This truly excites me,” she explained.

An alumna of The Queen’s School and The University of The West Indies, Mona, Carter said her book seeks to teach English language the Jamaican way, and it comes with lots of exciting games and resource materials.

“The objective is to make learning for Jamaicans at home, abroad, or just those who are in love with our culture, fun and exciting. I wanted it to be Jamaican through and through — English language the Jamaican way. The book comes with an online game, songs, and chants available on our website at www.jamaicanabc.com.

“It is more that just a book; and I believe that all kindergartens and nurseries in Jamaica should have this as part of their reading and instructional list for their young ones. There are free worksheets on the website too. It is perfect for parents who are teaching their young ones at home. After you have read the book, just download and print the worksheets and have your young ones practise, or turn on the games and have them play, or head over to YouTube and have them watch the videos to practise. Truly exciting,” she elaborated.

Carter, who now teaches in Canada, said the reviews have been positive so far and she is grateful to her illustrator.

“So far, the reviews have been that the design is beautiful; the pictures are vivid and so realistic. Commendations to my illustrator, Pete McDaniel. He and I made this book a reality via text. Just a vision that was written and made plain, and he ran with it,” said Carter.

“People have expressed the nostalgia they feel reading through the book with their little ones. Little Jamaican girls have expressed their joy to see someone in a beautiful princess dress — I am so glad that teachers and parents can tell them that that is the Jamaican folk dress. This book touches a little bit of every part of the Jamaican identity,” Carter added.

Carter, who also holds a Master of Education in Teaching English as a Second, Foreign or Other Language, hopes that the education ministry will buy into her book.

“My short-term goal with this project is to get this book on the ministry’s recommended list for early childhood learners,” she said.

“I also want to collaborate with other creatives to make more videos and content for the book and to create more books in this series, geared towards Jamaican learners. For Jamaica, the golden key to freedom is the education of [our] youth.

“For me, many people paid it forward so that I could be equipped to make it out of poverty. The baton has been passed to me. Now, I run passing the baton on to the next generation of dreamers, creators, educators, singers, lawyers, writers, and more. If God gave you five talents, use them all,” added Carter.

She is currently working to get copies of her book in local book stores; however, in the interim, the book can be purchased on Amazon global or via Jamaicanabc.com.

While in Japan, Carter, who is also a singer and performer, hosted ‘The Spring of Hope Olivia and Friends Concert’ in April 2022 as a way to give back to the country, as the world was transitioning out of the peak of the COVID-19 pandemic.

The initiative, which was supported by the Jamaican Embassy in Tokyo, welcomed approximately 500 guests.

“The Olivia and Friends concert was a gospel and Jamaican folk and reggae concert. This was such a beautiful demonstration of the friendship between Jamaican and Japan, and I was so thankful for the success that it was,” she said.

In December 2022 Carter was invited to perform in Shiga, demonstrating the Jamaican folk culture. She was also invited to perform at the International Tourism Expo in Tokyo, which was attended by the Jamaican ambassador to Tokyo and Minister of Tourism Edmund Barlett. During that time she released her single You Brought Me Through.