Akada Children’s Book Festival To Instil Reading Culture Among Children

As part of measures to instil reading among Nigerian children across the country, the Akada Children’s Book Festival (ACBF) has concluded plans to hold the fifth edition of the book festival.

The festival, which is the first and largest Nigerian book festival curated specifically for children with the theme “Through the Pages,” will spotlight a diverse lineup of authors and illustrators who will be sharing their stories of Africa and their heritage, culture, and communities through children’s literature.

Speaking at the press conference to unveil the 2023 edition, renowned author and convener of the festival, Mrs Olubunmi Aboderin Talabi, said: “The festival encourages the culture of reading for pleasure from an early age, and it improves access to age-appropriate, non-academic books.

‘’ACBF excels at hosting engaging activities in which families can participate together, by providing an avenue for parents, children, and teachers to discover new books. The 5th annual edition of the Akada Children’s Book Festival will showcase 41 original titles by local authors and Illustrators, approved after rigorous selection by an eight-person editorial board.

‘’Books to be featured this year range from children’s picture books for toddlers to chapter books for teens, and the festival allows those books to be read and talked about.”

Author of A Pre-School Alphabet Book, one of the featured books in this year’s edition, Noma Sodipo, underpinned the importance of the festival scheduled to be held in Lagos this month for early childhood education, saying “Young children need to be inspired to use their imagination and their senses. Books are very important, especially colourful books, during children’s early years. When they hold a book, turn the pages, and read, they are learning important motor, social, and emotional skills.”

Media personality and host of the 2023 edition of the festival, Dara Oluwatoye, said: “It is a thing of joy to see more homemade Nigerian stories because not a lot of people tell our stories.”

She added that, “When you increase access to books and stories that children can relate to, where their reality is reflected, they become more engaged. Introducing certain topics like money, manners, and communication skills through the books, where they see a version of themselves, they will be able to replicate such behaviour in real life.”

With free admission, the festival is a great opportunity for parents and educators to learn about the importance of reading and writing African stories for children; and is an opportunity for children to learn about African stories and authors.

Other side attractions and sessions that can help children develop their literacy and technical skills will include sessions led by expert voices such as Author, “Learning How to Learn in A-to-Z Ways”, Abiola Bashorun; Photographer,  Busola Dakolo; Executive Secretary, Lagos State Domestic and Sexual Violence Agency, Titilola Vivour-Adeniyi; Author, Money Matters,  Ifedolapo Peter-Ajakaiye; Founder, Arcadia Montessori,  Enimien Inegbedion and CEO, Graeme Blaque Group, Zeal Akaraiwe among others.