The Ghanaian Goldilocks

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Act it out. Becoming the characters can help children gain perspective and grows their flexible thinking skills. I learned that sometimes Ghanaian boys are mischievous and they have a lot of guts to go into somebody else’s house and eat somebody else’s food and to also sit in somebody else’s chair and break it. The little boy got into so much trouble and always got caught. But even when he got caught, it wasn’t big trouble.

Ghanaian Goldilocks - Pizzoli, Dr Tamara - AbeBooks The Ghanaian Goldilocks - Pizzoli, Dr Tamara - AbeBooks

I don’t want to give the impression that the path I’m on has been a walk in the park. A wise man named Don Folden once told me adversity guards the door to success, and, oh, how the last four years have proven those words to be true. A mom of four, with my Italian ex-husband and with my American partner who moved to Rome a couple of years ago, I ended up in a custody battle abroad. Let me just say that nothing will make you a womanist like getting divorced with children in Italy and the Trump administration. However, the tough times and learning how to navigate them really have polished me into a person who’s adept at spinning gold … in my daily affirmations I refer to myself as an artistic alchemist. All of our experiences, each and every one, are necessary for our growth and evolution. If only we could learn to look at the poo in our lives as fertilizer.C: We both have long hair, long hair that is curly and long. We both have brown skin and we love our mommies. And his hair has a lot of curls. And mischief is very, very popular with both of us. For me and Kofi, that is something that is very similar to both of us. It’s kind of like when our mother tells us we can’t do something and then we do it anyways and then we get into trouble. C: They are very interested in a lot of things. Some Ghanaians have interesting thoughts. Like if their mother tells them to go ask the neighbor for tomatoes and nobody is there, then the Ghanaians think there is no reason to go home. It’s interesting. Use props with and without books. Using puppets, peg dolls, or anything that can represent the characters can help children get deeper into the story and build empathy and storytelling skills. I started giving myself permission to thrive, and to create relentlessly and referring to myself as ‘creative.’ This was a big step for someone like me.

The Ghanaian Goldilocks by Tamara Pizzoli, Phil Howell

I do it by providing children’s quality literature and gorgeous imagery that reflects who they are. I believe all children deserve to see themselves in stories and imagery. And children’s books are particularly powerful agents of change because the lessons and morals they impart reach not only the child but the adults who read to them as well. Accessibility is important. That’s why most books are also available as audiobooks on YouTube. Children’s books are the best because you don’t have to choose between words or art—you get the best of both worlds. And I’ve always had an affinity for storytelling and well-crafted stories. As far as publishing my own stories, that came out of necessity. Are classic fairy tale characters friends? If so, would they also write each other letters? This book imagines just that in a very cute way. If you like this one, there is also Dear Peter Rabbit by the same author and illustrator.C: It’s a change – it is kind of different. It’s a fairy tale except it is Ghanaian. The reason I think that it is important: it’s kind of different and it’s like a new idea. Read different versions. Another way to build those flexible thinking skills and cognition is to read fractured fairy tales. These retellings have children looking at a story in a whole new way and stretching their imaginations. Those are some large claims and I thought it would be wise to consult with an expert so I sought my sage 8-year-old son Christian Wagari Howell for some insight into one of his favorite bedtime stories. Herein, a transcription of that discussion (reader cautioned for plot spoilers!) From a kid’s perspective: For Lunar New Year, Goldy heads to the neighbor’s house with some turnip cakes. When they aren’t home, Goldy lets herself in and it doesn’t go very well. Can she make it right and befriend the neighbor? This book includes a recipe for turnip cakes. I don’t wear my heart on my sleeve as much anymore, personally or professionally. I’m learning to focus on aligning myself energetically with what I want and to gracefully let go of what causes friction or discord. I don’t care how many people like my posts on social media or how many followers I have—I remember when I first started out I thought that was important. It’s not. Now, if I share something, it’s because I truly feel it’s worthy of being shared. I trust my gut more—these past four years have taught me I have a good gut. We all do.