Alumnus Blessing Owusu’s quest for cultural representation in children's literature
With “Abena’s Adventures,” Blessing Owusu (BEd ’19, MEd ’24) embarked on a journey that blended her passion for education with a mission to fill a crucial gap in children's literature. An educator with the York Region District School Board, her story first began with a foundational education at York University where she pursued an undergraduate degree in Interdisciplinary Social Sciences in 2017 and later earned her Bachelor of Education in June 2019. Blessing recently completed her Master of Education at York University in June 2024. Alongside her degree, she completed a Major Research Project (MRP) which led to the creation of her children's book. She also earned a diploma in Education in Urban Environments as a part of her Master’s degree.
The inspiration for Blessing's creative endeavor, "Abena's Adventures: A Taste of Home," stemmed from her own childhood experiences as a Ghanaian-Canadian growing up in Vaughan, Ontario. "Throughout my education, the concept of blackness was only acknowledged during the month of February, with the focus solely on struggle and adversity. Whenever I visited both my school library and the public library, I could never find books featuring a black protagonist as a hero or heroine or represented in any other way beyond overcoming obstacles and demonstrating resilience," she says. “I wanted to write a book that my 7-year-old self would have wanted to pick up.”
"Abena's Adventures: A Taste of Home" centers around Abena, a spirited young girl whose journey unfolds through themes of cultural identity, diversity, a sense of belonging, and the warmth of multi-generational experiences. The book also teaches readers how to pronounce Ghanaian words, introducing them to the beauty and richness of the Twi language.
“Inspired by my own experiences as a first-generation Canadian within an immigrant family, I felt compelled to craft a narrative that would spark meaningful conversations specifically for children, but also for all readers within various age groups,” says Blessing. “My goal was to encourage everyone to share their cultural experiences and understand different perspectives to connect with each other.”
As a self-published author, Blessing navigated the challenges of bringing her vision to life. From overcoming writer's block, to finding an illustrator who could vividly capture Abena's world, Blessing persevered with guidance from her supervisor, professor Molade Osibodu. “I faced writer’s block because I wanted to write this book as a student, a researcher, and as an educator,” she says. “I wanted to make sure that it was authentic and it centered on my Ghanaian identity and celebrated my heritage while also making it inclusive for all readers.” The result is a visually captivating book available for print through her website, www.lessonswithblessing.com, where it serves as a valuable resource for educators and families alike.
The most rewarding aspect of Blessing's journey has been the heartfelt feedback from readers. Children, regardless of their background, see themselves reflected in Abena's story, fostering a sense of belonging and pride in their heritage. “It has also been rewarding to hear from adults expressing how they felt reading the story because a lot of people shared that it is something they can relate to as they are also first-generation Canadians,” Blessing adds.
Looking forward, she plans to expand her impact by creating educational resources for educators and intends to author more books that celebrate cultural diversity. She envisions "Abena's Adventures" as a catalyst for conversations about representation in literature and hopes to share her story globally through bookstore visits, library readings, and community engagements. Blessing’s experience with "Abena's Adventures" has not only solidified her commitment to inclusive education, but has also deepened her understanding of the power of representation in shaping young minds.
Blessing’s advice to fellow graduate students and aspiring authors is to “blend academic rigor with creative expression to create impactful work that resonates with diverse audiences.”
In the end, Blessing's journey with "Abena's Adventures: A Taste of Home" exemplifies the power that literature has to transform and foster cultural awareness, acceptance, and self-esteem among children. Through her dedication to education and advocacy for diverse representation, Blessing will continue to bring inclusivity and equity to the forefront in educational settings and inspire educators and readers to do the same.
Article by Dennis Bayazitov special contributing writer