Amayah writes first book

EIGHT-YEAR-OLD social media personality Amayah Wallace-Aniebonam is known for reading from local children's books on her Reading with Amayah social media platforms. From July 28 she will be reading from her own book.

In March, Amayah wrote a book called Amayah’s Quest for the Golden Diamond: A Magical Adventure in Three Portals, available in English, Spanish and French.

Amayah started reading at age two and made her social media debut on her seventh birthday, on November 7, 2022.

Aside from reading, her favourite things to do are maths and art and craft.

Dr Alisha Wallace, Amayah's mother and manager, told Newsday Kids, "Amayah is an exceptional student."

Among the pages to which she brought life was the Learning with Lola series by Newsday contributor Mary Cuffy.

Wallace said they met Cuffy during the covid19 pandemic and the author was the first to give them permission to read her books.

Amayah is an only child, and Wallace, a doctor at the San Fernando General Hospital emergency department, said she started reading to Amayah when she was in the womb.

Amayah told Newsday Kids, "I read books because books are fun and take you to a new places. Right now I am reading this very interesting book called Percy Jackson and the Battle of the Labyrinth by Rick Riordan. One of the books other than that that I really like is called The Adventures of Jada: Attack of Lady Gluten (Sherwyn Williams and Anastasia Tomkin)."

She said she likes to read fiction but like sticking to the facts too, because "sometimes in books you can learn new things."

Amayah is grateful to her teacher Rea Frank for starting the writing process for her book, as it began as as a homework assignment.

"She asked me to write three paragraphs and I did three and a half notebook pages.

"This book is about my friends and me going on a magical adventure to get a reward from the king and queen.

"If you want to find out about the rest, you should probably buy the book," Amayah said.

"We also have two colouring books," she added

She said the book launch will be more of a book fair.

"It has a kind of back-to-school setting, with lots of fun activities like face painting."

The launch will take place at Our Lady of Fatima RC Church parish hall, Bushe Street, Curepe, from 10 am-3 pm.

Amayah is also encouraging those who attend to be charitable by buying premium book packages, comprising the various versions of her books. These packages will be donated to local schools, public libraries, children’s homes and underprivileged members of the community, spreading the joy of reading.

For more information on how to participate, contribute, or make large purchases to be donated, please e-mail readingwithamayah@gmail.com