Alpha-Fete!

For the past two years, permits in the City of Toronto have been cancelled which also meant the cancelling of one of the most exuberant and well known festivals in the city, the Toronto Caribbean Carnival, formerly known as Caribana. Although this summer there were still a few festivities, the grand parade was cancelled. To be able to still celebrate at home, C is for Carnival by Yolanda T. Marshall and Daria Lavrova hit bookstore shelves for children to learn all about Carnival time.

C is for Carnival is an alphabet book celebrating the Caribbean carnival fesivities in Canada. Yolanda T. Marshall guides readers through all of the sights, sounds, smells and joy of carnival time. From dancing to soca, costumes and listening to steel pans readers are fully immersed in the carnival experience. For those who have enjoyed carnival in the past it’s an opportunity to share their culture and celebration with others. For those who have not had the opportunity to enjoy carnival, they will certainly be eager to check it out next summer after reading this book. 

At the end of the story, Yolanda T. Marshall expands on many of the terms used in the book for readers to gain a better understanding behind the elements of a carnival and the reasons behind the celebration. She has also included a delicious looking recipe for roti, a carnival staple. One of the reasons we love Yolanda’s books is they invite the readers to experience the story instead of just read it. By adding recipes and additional information, the book becomes so much more that an aphabet book.

The illustrations by Daria Larova are enchanting! They are full of movement and energy and JOY!  This book is so beautiful and the illustrations invite the reader to join the party. Even without the words, the youngest readers will get a sense and a feel for carnival through the gorgeous illustrations.