By Isaac Mission 

Nigerian author and illustrator Vivian Uwakwe has called for greater investment in children’s literature that reflects African culture, identity and everyday experiences.

Uwakwe, the founder of children’s publishing brand Yanga Toons Ltd, said books can play a major role in helping children develop confidence, imagination and a stronger connection with their heritage.

Her own journey into publishing was far from conventional. Although she grew up surrounded by art and storytelling through her father, Peter Uwakwe, who was an artist and textile designer, she initially pursued a different career path.

Her father encouraged her artistic abilities but advised her against making art a profession because of the financial difficulties he had experienced as an artist.

Uwakwe subsequently studied science in secondary school, earned a degree in Estate Management from the University of Nigeria, worked in banking, obtained a master’s degree in the United Kingdom and later moved into consulting.

Her return to creativity came years later after she encountered a six-year-old child who struggled to write the alphabet.

Concerned about the child’s learning difficulties, she began developing customised educational materials. The project eventually grew into Yanga Toons, a publishing company focused on illustrated children’s stories and activity books inspired by African culture.

According to Uwakwe, quality children’s literature can teach values such as empathy, honesty, courage and responsibility in ways that sometimes go beyond conventional discipline.

She explained that children can learn by observing the decisions made by characters in stories and considering the consequences of their actions.

She cited one of her stories, “How The Lizard Lost Its Hair,” as an example of how an entertaining narrative can also address issues such as selfishness and obsession.

Uwakwe also believes Nigerian publishers must improve the quality of children’s books if they hope to compete for attention in an era dominated by smartphones, animation and social media.

She argued that children are already accustomed to sophisticated visual content and therefore should not be expected to embrace poorly designed books simply because they are prescribed by schools.

For her, Nigerian children's books should be good enough to compete with international titles in terms of writing, illustrations, editing, design and production quality.

Her experiences visiting schools have further strengthened that conviction.

Uwakwe said she has encountered children who have already written stories and, in some cases, entire books despite being below the age of 10. She added that book-reading sessions often bring out the creativity of children who might otherwise appear quiet or withdrawn.

She wants schools to make meetings with authors a regular part of their activities, saying such encounters can help children understand that writers and illustrators are real people who can serve as examples for them.

She also advocated stronger review processes before schools adopt children's books, suggesting that teachers, parents and other relevant professionals should assess publications for language, age suitability, illustrations and educational value.

Uwakwe further called for more government and corporate support for children’s literature, particularly because many independent authors bear the financial burden of writing, illustration, editing, printing, marketing and distribution themselves.

She noted that corporate organisations could support the sector by sponsoring books connected to areas such as financial literacy, environmental protection, healthcare, engineering and biodiversity.

According to her, such partnerships would not only increase children's access to books but also create opportunities for Nigerian writers and help preserve local stories.

Uwakwe said Yanga Toons deliberately combines African themes with international publishing standards. She explained that the company works with local printers and experienced editors to ensure its books meet the quality expected by readers globally.

She also stressed that African stories should not be presented as outdated simply because they originate from traditional folklore.

Instead, she believes traditional narratives can be retold using contemporary language, strong illustrations and themes that children anywhere in the world can understand.

For Uwakwe, representation in children's books goes beyond simply using African names or characters. It is about showing children that their culture, environment and experiences are worthy of being documented and celebrated.

She warned that children who constantly encounter foreign characters, settings and cultural references in the books they read may struggle to see their own identities as equally valuable.

She said seeing familiar cultures and experiences represented in literature can give children a sense of belonging and reinforce the message that their stories matter.

Beyond building a successful publishing company, Uwakwe said she wants her work to become a lasting legacy that continues to benefit children even after her lifetime.

She hopes the royalties from her books can eventually support vulnerable children and wants her work to inspire other Nigerian authors and publishers to raise their standards.

For her, the ultimate goal is not simply to produce books, but to create literature that enables children to read, imagine, question, create and take pride in who they are.