These N.S. kids wrote about their Black community. Now it’s a book | CBC Kids News

North Preston is one of Canada’s oldest Black communities

⭐️HERE’S WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW⭐️

• Students from North Preston, Nova Scotia, are published authors and illustrators.
• North Preston is one of the oldest Black communities in Canada.
• More than two years ago, a Grade 5/6 class began a class project.
• The illustrated guide to their community has now been published.
• The students came together last week to celebrate their work.
• Find out what makes their community special. ⬇️ ⬇️ ⬇️

Laughter and chatter were heard in the hallway of Nelson Whynder Elementary School last week as a group of teens wandered through their old school.

Now in junior high, these kids returned to their old stomping grounds to celebrate a project they worked on there in North Preston, Nova Scotia.

Today, the project is a book called The ABC’s of North Preston.

The kids are its authors and illustrators.

They’ve grown up a lot since then.

“I was happy,” said Latajiah Fatima, 13, in an interview with CBC Kids News when asked what it felt like to see her book for the first time.

“But also wishing I did a better job on my picture. I mean, look at the birds!” she laughed.

Latajiah designed the cover, which includes one word or phrase for every letter of the alphabet, highlighting a person or part of their town.

The book is a celebration of history and culture of this unique Black community, as told through the eyes of kids, for kids.

Latajiah Fatima shows the front cover of the book she helped put together, including her drawing of Nelson Whynder Elementary School. (Image credit: Sabrina Fabian/CBC)

How the book came together

The book was originally a project led by Grade 5/6 teacher Amie Carnes-Arsenault, who was searching for a way to teach both grades two key subjects.

Her class needed to learn about the history and culture of African Nova Scotians, so she came up with an idea.

She combined both by encouraging the students to share their knowledge of their community, North Preston.

Located about a 30-minute drive from downtown Halifax, North Preston is one of Canada’s oldest Black communities.

“Our ancestors have been here for 400 years,” said the school’s principal, Anne Johnson-McDonald.

North Preston, located outside Halifax, Nova Scotia, is one of Canada’s oldest Black communities. (Image credit: Sabrina Fabian/CBC)

“Originally, our people were brought here and expected not to survive. They were brought in the winter,” said Johnson-McDonald.

Some of the first settlers in North Preston were Black loyalists (people who were loyal to the British), who fled the United States after it gained independence.

Others were Jamaicans.

“But we survived. Not only survived, we prospered,” she said.

Who the kids chose to honour and represent

From the church to local celebrities, the students chose a topic and drew a picture for each letter of the alphabet.

“We have a lot of great leaders, and it’s just a fun place,” said Kamora Cain, 11.

She drew a picture of Quentrel Provo, an anti-violence activist from North Preston, and said other kids may be interested in learning about him.

“It’s really interesting to read about someone who is a leader,” said Kamora.

Tianna Smith, 12, drew a picture of Reeny Smith, a singer-songwriter who went to the elementary school as a kid.

Tianna Smith, right, shows the picture she drew of Nova Scotia singer-songwriter Reeny Smith, left, who also grew up in North Preston. (Image credit: Sabrina Fabian/CBC)

Reeny was at the school to celebrate with the students.

“It’s an amazing feeling,” Reeny said about being featured in the book.

“[It’s] just reassuring that, you know, you’re doing the right thing, being a role model and getting a positive message out there.”

Kalayjhia Beals, 13, wrote the letter “I is for intelligence,” for all the people and business owners who have inspired her in town.

She also featured tREv, a clothing company that makes jogging suits, T-shirts and hats.

“It represents more than just a clothing brand,” said Kalayjhia. “It represents respect and education.”

Kalayjhia Beals holds up the page she wrote and designed featuring the local clothing company tREv. The letters of the name stand for trust, respect, educate and value. (Image credit: Sabrina Fabian/CBC)

How does it feel to be a published author?

The classmates from Nelson Whynder Elementary School seemed thrilled to hold their own book in their hands.

When asked how she felt about being published, Kalayjhia said she was excited.

“I’m kind of surprised, because I didn’t know it was going to get this far and get published,” she said.

They gathered for a special assembly on Jan. 27 to officially launch the book.

Many of the local celebrities featured in the book were also there and received copies.

Musicians, entrepreneurs and activists gathered at an assembly at Nelson Whynder Elementary School to celebrate the launch of the book they are featured in. (Image credit: Sabrina Fabian/CBC)

The ABC’s of North Preston is available to purchase online through the Delmore “Buddy” Daye Learning Institute.

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TOP IMAGE CREDIT: Sabrina Fabian/CBC