Angelique J.G. Romou, educator and youth advocate launches her first children's book titled Saint Martin, I Love You Just the Way You Are: Yamir and Friends Explore Saint Martin.
PHILIPSBURG--Educator and youth advocate Angelique J.G. Romou will launch her first published chil-dren’s book on Tuesday, September 8, International Literacy Day, combining early reading develop-ment with lessons about St. Maarten’s culture, history and identity. Saint Martin, I Love You Just the Way You Are: Yamir and Friends Explore Saint Martin is the first in a planned educational series aimed at children from preschool through second grade.
The series is intended to introduce young readers to the island they call home through stories and illustrations featuring its people, natural environment, traditions, national symbols and cultural herit-age.
For Romou, the September 8 launch also connects to her annual “Reading Is Lit with Angelique Romou” literacy initiative, which she started five years ago. Throughout September, she visits primary schools, classrooms and foster homes across St. Maarten to read with children and encourage an in-terest in books. “Literacy has always been much more than teaching a child how to read,” Romou said. “Through reading, we can help children discover themselves, understand where they come from, dream about who they can become and, in this case, develop pride in the place they call home.”
The book follows Yamir, Romou’s great-nephew and the inspiration behind the series, as he ex-plores Saint Martin with his friends Giara, Dylan, Xoriyah, Bella and Xavier. Romou said the idea for the series grew out of her work as an educator and youth advocate, as well as her connection to St. Maarten. I wanted our children to be able to open a book and see themselves,” she said. “I wanted them to see their island, their people, their flowers, trees, birds, beaches, monuments, traditions and culture.”
The books are designed with young readers in mind, using large print, accessible language, short stories and colourful illustrations. Recognisable places and elements of St. Maarten are incorporated into the pages so children can learn about the island while developing their reading skills.
The first publication is also intended to be the start of a larger series covering subjects including St. Maarten’s culture and history, flags, national song, national flowers and trees, beaches, traditional foods, festivals, music, animals, birds, builders and local heroes.
Romou also plans to develop student activity books and teacher guides to accompany the series, with the broader goal of seeing the material incorporated into schools across the island. “From the cradle, our children should grow knowing the beauty, history, culture and strength of the island they call home," Romou said. “When we teach our children where they come from, we help them under-stand who they are and the important role they can play in shaping St. Maarten’s future.”
The inaugural printing received financial support from Pineapple Pete and Skyfall Fireworks. Pine-apple Pete is sponsoring the first 100 copies printed for the International Literacy Day launch, while Skyfall Fireworks provided support towards completing the publication. The book will retail for US$25, with proceeds going towards Start Smart foster home, particularly to support literacy among the chil-dren in its care, while also contributing to the development of the planned series.
Romou said this was an important part of the project because the purchase of one book can help create an opportunity for another child to read and learn. The launch also marks the beginning of
Rommar Publishing, which Romou envisions as a platform for producing educational material while preserving local stories, celebrating St. Maarten’s identity and creating books in which future genera-tions can recognise themselves and their home.
While Romou has previously written a book on eloquence and etiquette, she considers this publica-tion a particularly significant milestone as her first published book for children. “Saint Martin is more than the place where we live," Romou said. “It is our home, our identity, our heritage and our story.” A separate date for a “Meet the Characters” event will be announced later.
