A new St Helenian-inspired children’s book has been released, the book, entitled “5 Chatty Mynah Birds,” is a playful, rhythmic counting book written and illustrated by Emma-Jane Richards (née Yon).
Originally created as a lullaby for her daughter, Emma-Jane says the book began as a fun way to talk about St Helena with her daughter, who was just two at the time and loved lullabies.
“I naturally fell into a rhythm of creating songs and stories that reflected St Helena and my own childhood growing up playing in Half Tree Hollow,” Emma-Jane explained. “It’s important to me to build a connection with St Helena for my daughter, who was born in the UK, so she can take pride in our shared heritage and this book is a small part of that.”
The idea of turning the lullaby into a book came at the start of the 2020 pandemic. During quarantine, Emma-Jane began sketching out ideas for what was initially just a distraction and creative challenge but it quickly turned into a passion project.
“We all have passion projects that never see the light of day,” Emma-Jane said, “but I was determined to have a record of my daughter’s first visit to St Helena when she absolutely loved songs about the Island. Turning it into a physical book helps keep the memory of that time, and the lullaby I created.
Six years after first singing the lullaby, the book version of 5 Chatty Mynah Birds has finally become a reality. The book is filled with original hand-drawn illustrations by Emma-Jane herself, featuring a number of well-known island birds including the Mynah (the inspiration for the title), Sparrow, Fairy Tern, Turtle Dove, and, of course, the Wirebird. Each bird is beautifully depicted in familiar island locations such as Half Tree Hollow, Sandy Bay, Heart-Shaped Waterfall, and Deadwood. Accompanying each illustration are the original lyrics from Emma-Jane’s lullaby.
Consisting of 28 pages and designed in collaboration with her husband Robin, 5 Chatty Mynah Birds is a rhyming picture book aimed at children aged 0–6. Emma-Jane hopes it will become a traditional lullaby for children everywhere.
Born and raised in Half Tree Hollow, on St Helena, Emma-Jane attended Prince Andrew School before beginning her creative journey with St Helena Media Services in 2000. She later helped establish Saint FM and the St Helena Independent in 2005, serving as one of the founding presenters and journalists. She also co-authored For the Love of Music with the St Helena National Trust, a book celebrating island music and musicians.
Today, many will know Emma-Jane as one half of The Saint Cooks the mainly online project she runs with Robin, celebrating and showcasing St Helenian food, culture, and community through their website and social media at saintcooks.com.
“The response from Saints and non-St Helenians around the world has been so heart-warming and inspiring thank you all,” said Emma-Jane upon the book’s announcement. “We quickly realised that this little love letter to the Island, created as a gift for our daughter, was something other families might also enjoy especially Saints raising children on and off-island who are looking for a fun, accessible way to connect with home.”
Emma-Jane also expressed her pride in joining other local St Helenian authors:
“There have been many wonderful children’s books written by St Helenians, such as Mr Basil George and Mr Garron Yon. I’m so proud to now be part of this growing group of writers celebrating the Island.”
Robin and Emma-Jane are currently producing a limited print run of the book under their newly created publishing imprint, Wirebird Press.
Copies of 5 Chatty Mynah Birds are available for purchase from the Saint Cooks shop, you can head over to saintcooks.com/product/5-chatty-mynah-birds. to grab your copy.