Journey to authorship and reading advocacy: Khamini Leston

Khamini Leston, author of "Grandpa Take Me to T&T"

“I would hate to think of what would have happened if I didn’t go to Bishops”, says Khamini Leston, award-winning author of the childrens' book, "Grandpa Take Me To T&T". She weaves an endearing story about a little boy growing up in Brooklyn, whose curiosity was piqued by his grandfather's narration of his own childhood in Trinidad & Tobago. The mention of games such as rounders and pitching marbles evoke nostalgia for parents and are powerful learning moments for their children, as these games are becoming obsolete in today's playgrounds. Rooted in patriotism, and admiration of his grandfather, Grandpa's little boy references his desire to experience cultural traditions such as 'bussing bamboo' for Divali and singing parang at Christmas time.

"Grandpa Take Me To T&T" was born of homesickness, as Khamini lived in New York for an extended period, and longed for her family. At the time, she worked as a caretaker of children. Inspired by their playful cheer and innocence, she wrote a poem about a little boy who wanted to go to Trinidad. After reciting it for the parents of her charges, Khamini realized the poem would make a great children’s book. Having re-discovered her passion for writing, Khamini affirmed, "By the time my child is born I want him to say, "my mother is a writer"...not for the status, but for the truth of it." In true Hilarian fashion, she followed through. Knowing very little about the publishing business, Khamini began her research. She found a book titled "How To Write A Children’s Book" and began taking the steps. Along the way, she had a baby and publishing the book became, to her, more overwhelmingly necessary.

Khamini poses with son, Joshua.

Khamini describes her journey to becoming a writer, poet and published author as "gathering a lot of life experience". She mentions, "When I first went to BAHS, I didn’t quite understand what was happening or what was required of me. It was like water rushing on a stone, it smoothed me out without breaking me.” While she valued formal education, and loved the learning opportunities school afforded her, post-secondary school, Khamini hadn't gone about professional development in the traditional way of immediately pursuing formal tertiary education. She instead found her own path of development towards the same destination.

Today, Khamini balances her career with her role as the mother of an inquisitive three year old boy, Joshua, for whom she reads nightly bedtime stories. Acknowledging that today's children are less encouraged to read for leisure, Khamini notes, " I want his [Joshua's] childhood to be full of new experiences, rather than having to wait until he gets older to then make those choices." Khamini hopes to give Joshua exposure to other ways of life, and reading is one way she chooses to encourage his openness to new experiences, different perspectives, and to pass on values. "What you do becomes the voice of your child’s conscience", she adds the caveat, "If you are active, it does. If you aren’t, you run the risk of someone else becoming the voice of your child’s conscience." 

Giving back: Khamini did an author reading and donated copies of her book to Diego Martin Government Primary School, where she attended as a child. 

"Grandpa Take Me To T&T" has performed well in paperback and e-book versions, has been featured in national newspapers, was shared online by television media houses, and in 2014 earned Khamini an award from NALIS. When asked, would you write another children's book? Khamini responds, "I have another book: a baby's book called "Mommy’s Musical Bangles"- when your mother uses her hands a lot, to a baby it's music, every movement is music." For now, Khamini wants to give "Grandpa" his time. She hopes to have "Grandpa" take his place on the booklists and bookshelves of pre-schools across Trinidad, as a primer for their Social Studies.

"This is a fun rhyming educational story about a little boy in Brooklyn whose desire is to go to his grandfather's home country. An excellent resource material for pre-school children." - NALIS 

In "Grandpa Take Me To T&T", Khamini has a remarkable way of seeing the world through a child's eyes and amplifying the T&T experience for the young reader. Her writing is very honest and almost childlike in exploring emotions of longing and excitement. For the adult reader, there is a comfort in Khamini's expression of the T&T experience, which feels very much like speaking to a friend who listens, empathizes and says "I understand". 

"Grandpa" is available online, at Newsstand (Piarco Airport), and at Nigel Khan's Bookstore in Piarco.