New children’s book invites young readers to explore Jamaica

For Jamaican author, Tonian D. Trowers, storytelling became more than a creative pursuit; it evolved into a source of healing, love and cultural celebration.

Her debut children’s book, Kam & Kez Adventures: Jamaica, invites young readers on a lively journey across the island through the eyes of two curious sisters. Aimed at children aged four to eight, it blends adventure, cultural pride and family connection, encouraging young Jamaicans, and those across the diaspora, to see the island as a place of discovery and imagination.

For Trowers, the project was deeply personal. “ Kam & Kez Adventures was inspired by my daughters and by my journey through grief and healing. At a time when I was navigating deep loss, I chose to create something rooted in love, imagination, and culture,” she said.

Writing the book, she added, “allowed me to transform pain into purpose. I wanted to create a story where my daughters could go on adventures together and explore the beauty of Jamaica”.

The result is a story that celebrates childhood curiosity while reflecting the emotional resilience that shaped its creation.

The main characters, Kam and Kez, are inspired directly by her daughters, Kamiyah and Keziah. “Kam and Kez are inspired by my daughters, Kamiyah and Keziah. Kam is a shortened version of Kamiyah, and Kez comes from Keziah,” Trowers explained. Their personalities, she said, reflect the curiosity and imagination children bring to the world around them. “Through these characters, I wanted to create a loving connection between two sisters who experience adventure together while learning about the beauty of Jamaica.”

One of the book’s central ideas is that adventure need not be found abroad. “What makes this story unique is that the adventure begins right here in Jamaica,” she said. “Instead of looking abroad for adventure, the book reminds children that excitement, discovery, and storytelling exist right at home.”

By presenting Jamaica’s landscapes and culture through a child-friendly lens, the story invites young readers to rediscover the island with fresh curiosity. “The story introduces children to our island through places, experiences, and cultural pride,” she said.

For Trowers, centring the narrative in Jamaica was a deliberate choice. “It was very important for me to centre the story around Jamaica because our children deserve to see themselves, their culture, and their environment reflected in books.” She noted that early-childhood literature featuring Jamaica remains limited. “There is still a limited amount of early childhood literature that introduces Jamaica to young readers in a visual, engaging, and child-friendly way,” she said.

Through bright illustrations and accessible storytelling, the book aims to fill that gap. “The illustrations and storytelling are designed to help children visualise Jamaica while encouraging curiosity about the places, history, and experiences that make the island unique,” Trowers added.

SHARED FAMILY EXPERIENCE

The book also speaks to children of Caribbean heritage living overseas. “I hope children learn that Jamaica is rich with culture, beauty, and history. For children living abroad, I hope the story helps them feel connected to their heritage and identity,” she said. For those on the island, the message is equally clear: “I hope it encourages them to appreciate the island they call home and see it as a place full of adventure and discovery.”

Although written chiefly for children aged four to eight, Trowers designed the book to be a shared family experience. “It is written in a way that allows parents to read along with their children and turn it into a shared storytelling experience,” she said. The story includes elements that adults can appreciate, such as cultural references and prompts for discussion. “Families can use the book to talk about places in Jamaica, culture, travel, and curiosity about the world around them,” she added.

In an era when children spend increasing time on digital devices, Trowers remains convinced of the value of print. “Reading stimulates imagination in ways screens cannot. It encourages creativity, strengthens vocabulary, and improves focus,” she said. Books, she added, also “create meaningful moments between parents and children that technology often replaces”.

Stories reflecting a child’s own environment can strengthen literacy. “When children read stories that reflect their world, they become more interested in reading. Familiar places, language, and culture help children connect with the story, making literacy more engaging and relatable,” she said.

Readers who fall in love with Kam and Kez will not have long to wait for further adventures. “Yes, definitely,” Trowers said when asked about future stories. “This is only the beginning.” Her long-term vision is for the sisters to journey across the island. “My goal is for Kam and Kez to continue exploring different parts of Jamaica and discovering the unique beauty and culture of each parish,” she said.

The series is expected to expand parish by parish. “The vision is for Kam & Kez Adventures to become a series,” she said. “Future books will focus on different locations across Jamaica, allowing children to experience the island parish by parish through storytelling and adventure.” Trowers also hopes to broaden the project beyond books. “My goal is to continue building the Kam & Kez Adventures world with additional stories and learning resources for children,” she said.

keisha.hill@gleanerjm.com