Anissa Moses-Saromi, a 10-year-old Nigerian girl, has debuted two short story collections titled ‘Because I Am’ and ‘Ricky’s Ridiculousness’.
In ‘Because I Am’, the young author tells the story of children who overcome difficult circumstances and find success through diligence, determination and the kindness of strangers.
‘Ricky’s Ridiculousness’, her second collection, focuses on Ricky, a naughty but lovable nine-year-old boy who gets into all kinds of mischief.
The author, while enjoining young children not to give up on their dreams, said she wrote the book to educate people of her age of the consequences inherent in engaging in mischief.
“Ricky’s Ridiculousness is a collection of stories from several recounts I wrote in school, some of which earned me prizes for creative writing. I decided to recreate the stories by making a book out of them to show the mischief children my age engage in, and the consequences that come with such acts of mischief,” she said.
Chido Onumah, coordinator of African Centre for Media and Information Literacy (AFRICMIL), said the books will inspire young readers.
“Young readers will feel inspired by the heartwarming stories of children who don’t simply make wishes, but use their heads, their hands and their hearts to make their wishes come true,” he said.
Anissa, who is also a public speaker, has won several recognition for her creative writings and has continued to inspire young readers with her message of “You can be more.”
