The Ghanaian Goldilocks

Product Information

Dr. Tamara Pizzoli pursues her creative passion to publish children’s books after an untimely loss taught her there’s no time to waste. Photo courtesy of James Maiki.

s Book Author Spins Adversity into Gold This Children’s Book Author Spins Adversity into Gold

Dr. Pizzoli is an educator too, that founded The English Schoolhouse and The English Schoolhouse Publishing in Rome, Italy! I learned that sometimes Ghanaian boys are mischievous and they have a lot of guts to go into somebody else’s house and eat somebody else’s food and to also sit in somebody else’s chair and break it. The little boy got into so much trouble and always got caught. But even when he got caught, it wasn’t big trouble. I started giving myself permission to thrive, and to create relentlessly and referring to myself as ‘creative.’ This was a big step for someone like me. Read different versions. Another way to build those flexible thinking skills and cognition is to read fractured fairy tales. These retellings have children looking at a story in a whole new way and stretching their imaginations.

Those are some large claims and I thought it would be wise to consult with an expert so I sought my sage 8-year-old son Christian Wagari Howell for some insight into one of his favorite bedtime stories. Herein, a transcription of that discussion (reader cautioned for plot spoilers!) From a kid’s perspective: C: We both have long hair, long hair that is curly and long. We both have brown skin and we love our mommies. And his hair has a lot of curls. And mischief is very, very popular with both of us. For me and Kofi, that is something that is very similar to both of us. It’s kind of like when our mother tells us we can’t do something and then we do it anyways and then we get into trouble. Are classic fairy tale characters friends? If so, would they also write each other letters? This book imagines just that in a very cute way. If you like this one, there is also Dear Peter Rabbit by the same author and illustrator. Let it flow. If your child is forgetting details or mixing things up, go with it! No need to correct them, they are giving their very own version of the story.

Ghanaian Goldilocks - Pizzoli, Dr Tamara - AbeBooks The Ghanaian Goldilocks - Pizzoli, Dr Tamara - AbeBooks

For Lunar New Year, Goldy heads to the neighbor’s house with some turnip cakes. When they aren’t home, Goldy lets herself in and it doesn’t go very well. Can she make it right and befriend the neighbor? This book includes a recipe for turnip cakes.I don’t wear my heart on my sleeve as much anymore, personally or professionally. I’m learning to focus on aligning myself energetically with what I want and to gracefully let go of what causes friction or discord. I don’t care how many people like my posts on social media or how many followers I have—I remember when I first started out I thought that was important. It’s not. Now, if I share something, it’s because I truly feel it’s worthy of being shared. I trust my gut more—these past four years have taught me I have a good gut. We all do.

The Ghanaian Goldilocks: Pizzoli, Dr Tamara, Howell, Phil The Ghanaian Goldilocks: Pizzoli, Dr Tamara, Howell, Phil

I didn’t want to wait for anyone else’s approval or endorsement, so I didn’t. I negotiated a book deal with MacMillan myself and signed it without a literary agent. God is my agent. Dr. Tamara Pizzoli is a lifelong learner and educator who splits her time between Italy and her native Texas. She's mom to two beautiful sons, Noah and Milo, who often inspire what she writes.C: Never go into somebody’s house and eat their food and sit on their stools and go in their closets and break somebody else’s chair. Use props with and without books. Using puppets, peg dolls, or anything that can represent the characters can help children get deeper into the story and build empathy and storytelling skills. I do it by providing children’s quality literature and gorgeous imagery that reflects who they are. I believe all children deserve to see themselves in stories and imagery. And children’s books are particularly powerful agents of change because the lessons and morals they impart reach not only the child but the adults who read to them as well. Accessibility is important. That’s why most books are also available as audiobooks on YouTube. Children’s books are the best because you don’t have to choose between words or art—you get the best of both worlds. And I’ve always had an affinity for storytelling and well-crafted stories. As far as publishing my own stories, that came out of necessity.