“Boonoonoonous” (in this book, an adjective) is a happy word. For non-Jamaicans, it is also quite difficult to translate. It can mean “something special” (or perhaps someone special) and at the same time plentiful. Deepak Chopra and other meditation gurus would call it “abundance.” A term first coined by Jamaica’s cultural hero, Louise Bennett-Coverley (Miss Lou), it is in the title of Olive Senior‘s new children’s book, “Boonoonoonous Hair!”
As I arrived at Kozy Korner Books, literally in the corner of a small but attractive shopping plaza off Constant Spring Road, there was a mood of celebration (note: there are more than one “Central Avenues” in Kingston, as we found out!) . A group of children was playing a sort of overture to the launch of Ms. Senior’s book, on percussion – conducted by what the author herself called a “Pied Piper,” poet and musician Mbala. Meanwhile, publisher Tanya Batson-Savage, founder of Blue Banyan Books (resplendent in a snow-white shift dress) and the author herself (in burnt sienna) were busy preparing for the book launch. Bookstore owner Farah was already selling books (and this is important!)
Ms. Batson-Savage introduced herself, and her “publishing hut” as she once described it – a “wattle and daub hut,” entirely local in content. Blue Banyan Books is a hut no more, but a blossoming Jamaican publishing house. She described the whirlwind tour for the book (Mandeville Parish Library, Montego Bay and back to Kingston). This happened despite Ms. Senior’s mild protests that she is “not so young any more.” Children’s books – whether publishing or writing – require a little extra energy, it seems.
Ms. Senior then sat down alongside the children, and directed her reading at them. The children had a few things to say – some of them eliciting gales of laughter from those present (mothers, aunties and friends – and Canada’s High Commissioner to Jamaica, Laurie Peters). The younger ones browsed the bright shelves of books and provided “noises off.”
I greatly enjoyed the launch: The quiet rattles and rumbles and at times energetic pattering and ringing sounds from Mbala and his young cohort; the bunches of colour and well-arranged books in the store (yes, I was once in the book business myself!) with a focus on diversity; and the activities. Most importantly, the children were not bored (or necessarily “on their best behaviour”), engaging in a competition that involved balloon heads and fake “hair.” But nothing was forced. No one cried or threw a tantrum.
It was, in fact, a Boonoonoonous book launch. Smiles and fun in abundance.
Kozy Korner Books n’ More is an award-winning children-only bookstore in Kingston. The main focus is the children. It is an interactive bookstore, hosting “Story Play Saturday” (a story reading and an activity to go along with the theme of the book) and “Ready, Set, Play” (circle time for the younger ones). Additionally they offer the service of sourcing of textbooks and stationery; delivery service island-wide; book wrapping; and labels for books and supplies. Email: Kozykornerbooksja@gmail.com. Tel: 876-669-6813. Follow them on Instagram, Facebook and Twitter.
As The Word Turns 