Guyanese-Canadian author celebrates the launch of third children’s book- Sweet Sorrel Stand

BY: LEANNE BENN

What’s more refreshing than a glass of lemonade on a hot summer day? Well, how about a glass of sweet sorrel. The Sweet Sorrel Stand is closer than you think. This fun and creative children’s book is the latest release by Guyanese born author Yolanda T. Marshall. Marshall is currently based in Canada and uses her work as a way to connect children and especially Caribbean parents with children to popular aspects of Caribbean culture.

In her book Sweet Sorrel Stand, Marshall shares the tale of two children that love their favorite Caribbean sorrel drink so much that they decide to start a sorrel stand, similar to how other kids build up their lemonade business. For those familiar, or not so familiar, sorrel is quite popular during the Christmas months in the Caribbean as a festive drink. It’s made from the Roselle plant, a species of hibiscus that is native to West Africa. Despite the simplicity of the sorrel drink and its ease to produce, there is an extensive history behind the drink and what makes it so popular in Caribbean households. Without giving away too much, let’s just say the sorrel stand was a success for the kids.

Marshall is known for sharing bits of her culture in her work. In the author’s second children’s book, released in 2017, “A Piece of Black Cake for Santa” references a traditional Caribbean Christmas and instead of milk and cookies, Santa can have a taste of black cake, another popular Caribbean treat.

Marshalls’ books are all about celebrating Caribbean culture in a fun and child-like manner. Sometimes Marshall’s work isn’t always for children, in her first book, “Obayifo” she shares the tale of an African witch from the Ashanti tribe. The book is all about basic human fears related to the works of Obeah told through the form of poetry and was published in 2008 while Marshall attended the University of Toronto.

Her desire to write children’s books, however, came along after Marshall welcomed her first child; in 2016 she released “Keman’s First Carnival,” which is about a young black Canadian experiencing Toronto’s Caribbean carnival at just eight years old.  Through the eyes of a child, Marshall shares another important part of history and Caribbean culture that’s celebrated by various diasporas.

Marshall’s books encourage the readers and especially impressionable young minds to explore cultural traditions. In 2017, she was awarded the CIBWE award for Canada’s Top 100 Black women to watch. If you are inspired by Marshall’s work visit her website, ytmarshall.com or the books can be purchased on Amazon or found at your local Chapter/Indigo among other places.