One of the books I published for a client recently debuted on TV, and I couldn’t be more thrilled.
Yes, my youngest author and her book, “Diary of a Tween”, have made it to THE BBC! 🎉 Continue reading MY YOUNGEST CLIENT’S BOOK DEBUTED ON TV
2021 report by the Guardian says, “…33.9% of children of primary school age in England are from a minority ethnic background…” while only “8% of children’s books have a minority ethnic main character.” I had many conversations – with many people – on this subject, but I don’t think I fully grasped the importance of representation until my initial book consultation with a nine-year-old British/Ghanaian … Continue reading Diary of a Tween — Diversity and Inclusion in Kids Literature
So much has changed in my life since the last post. I’ll just mention two out of a few significant things. Firstly, just over a year ago, my mum passed away. Secondly, I visited Africa for the first time. Here’s why these two distinct events go together in my mind. My mum was Polish. My dad is Nigerian. I was born and have lived in Europe … Continue reading My New Afropean Story Born Out of the Ashes
When the cell door shut behind Emilio, he knew that there was no turning back. He collapsed on the metallic bed, feeling like the Fulani bull he encountered as a ten-year-old boy, when visiting his maternal grandfather’s village. The day before its slaughter, the beast was allowed to graze and roam without restraint. On the day, however, four strong men captured the animal, spreading it … Continue reading Come Wind or Sun – Novel Excerpt
‘Not location, not race and not the skin colour make the basis of a friendship or love but the heart and soul’. Yesterday, my story was featured @mixedracefaces. It is amazing to me that colour of one’s skin is a problem still and to so many… But then, on the other hand, it isn’t surprising because there are people out there who benefit from division. … Continue reading My Story as Told… at Mixed-Race Faces
“It was one of those afternoons when the beautiful summer sun chased even zealous hermits out their four walls. All but one. Her curtains were closed all day. She didn’t notice the sun’s rays and her skin couldn’t feel its warmth…” Yes, there’s a new book in the making! The first draft is done. Yuppie! However,… Yes, there’s a however… I have a bunch of … Continue reading Everywhere & Always – A Story Waiting to be Told
A few months ago, I was featured in “Seven Questions…” – a popular column of a UK based newspaper for the Polish diaspora. The interview format was quite unusual. I was given a number of one word/two-word questions to choose from and asked to develop answers based on whatever reflections they triggered in my mind. When the interview came out I promised my English-speaking readers … Continue reading 7 Answers – Interview & Introduction
Yesterday, I was verbally attacked for not being fully black (my mum’s white)… I couldn’t believe the hatred that came out of the person’s mouth. They directed racist abuse towards me – pointing out my background, my skin being fairer than theirs and my hair being too long to be “black”. Whaaaat?! Are we really going there, again? This happens to me every now and then … Continue reading Racism, Politics & the Spirit of Fear
I was born, brown-skinned and a black-eyed girl, Into a blue-eyed spot in this world – Blessed with black, thick and rather frizzy hair Where hair tends to be silky, smooth, mostly blond. . When I was a girl, maybe twelve years old, I would lay my head down, on the ironing board Because a real iron could tame my real hair… Benefits seemed great… … Continue reading Made of Many Worlds – Poem
Monika Ribeiro Publications 