Award‑winning author delights young readers at library event

More than 30 children gathered at the Barbados National Library Service on Fairchild Street, Bridgetown, on Saturday morning for a lively Caribbean Storytime session with award-winning author Yolanda T. Marshall.

Marshall, a Canadian writer of Barbadian and Guyanese descent, shared several of her popular children’s books, including Sweet Sorrel Stand, What’s in the Cookie Tin?, A Piece of Black Cake for Santa and her newest Bajan-themed picture book, Marching North.

The stories, while written for young readers, explored themes connected to the Caribbean diaspora experience, including food, music, culture and sacrifice.

Speaking with Barbados TODAY on the sidelines of the event, Marshall said the occasion was especially meaningful because her books are part of the Barbados National Library Service’s collection.

“I’m so happy to be in the national library. For many years, I’ve looked online and seen that my books are housed here, and I promised myself that when I visited Barbados, I had to come here and do a reading,” she said.

Marshall, who conducts hundreds of readings annually across Canada, the United States and the Caribbean, described the Barbados event as particularly memorable.

“Today was extra special to be present in Barbados, where my books have a home in the National Library. It was wonderful to interact with the kids who, like myself, are Caribbean-born children, and it was a wonderful day to celebrate literacy,” she said.