A Reindeer Hour for Xmas

Every year, Keeron Isaac and his mother buy a reindeer ornament for their Christmas tree. It is a tradition that sparked his love for reindeer, laying the foundation for his self-published Christmas book, Reindeer Hour.

Isaac jokingly says the book was written by accident, as it wasn't the third book he initially planned to publish. He attended a Zoom writing session with author Ketriana Yvonne from Brooklyn, in which participants were given a prompt to write a story about something in the room with them. Being a self-proclaimed Christmas "junkie," with his Christmas decorations still up in March, he decided to tell a Christmas story.

"They all agreed my story should be published, so I decided to take a chance, and I'm happy I did."

Writing comes naturally to the Arima resident and despite his two previous works – Poet Tree, and I Am the Tree – not being specifically geared for children, they have become his biggest audience. He plans to write more children's books, blending Christmas traditions with his own cultural influences.

Isaac says the book's message revolves around problem-solving, empowerment and appreciation, in a whimsical tale seen through the eyes of a reindeer on a journey to discover what brings him happiness. Along the way, children take it upon themselves to show him how loved he truly is.

The 28-year-old, full-time author said as a child, he once devised a plan to ship a reindeer to Trinidad to enhance his own Christmas experience. He hopes his reindeer tales will inspire a child's imagination.

"As a child, I was always enamoured with Christmas and was always a pretty empathetic kid towards animals. I initially wanted to be a vet. I care a lot for people and for animals. I think the underlying message I wanted to share was people who reach out to help others need help themselves. I wanted to teach kids from a young age it's okay to reach out for help when needed. I know it saved me when I did."

As an adult, his favourite things about Christmas are the food and family togetherness. He sees the book as a reward for making it through a tumultuous year and encourages a shift in focus towards gratitude.

The book is for children between five and ten years and Isaac says many adults have bought copies as gifts. He's grateful to Paper Based Bookshop, on Alcazar Street, Port of Spain, for stocking his book. It is also available on Amazon, Unqueue, and Carib Shopper.

As for his Christmas wish, Isaac hopes people will prioritise love. He acknowledges the challenges of survival, but encourages taking time to reach out to others, showing love and compassion. Reflecting on his mother's influence, he wants to carry the positive energy of Christmas throughout the year.

Isaac playfully mentions he has about 1,000 books already written and reveals a trilogy of poetry collections in the queue, along with a few Christmas books scheduled for 2024. He credits his mother, Althea Isaac, who edited this book, as an inspiration.

Despite personal losses, he cherishes the experience of working on a special book with his mother, accompanied with illustrations by his friend Antonia Figaro and layout by his cousin Clive Strachan – a true family affair, embodying the spirit of Christmas.