Virgin Islands author Yohance Henley is making waves as he recently released his newest publication, “Anansi the Litter Bug,” a children’s book that teaches the value of responsibility and teamwork.
Henley, who has been storytelling for the last 14-15 years, said that he enjoys taking inspiration from Virgin Islands culture and incorporating it into his stories. Now that he lives in Arizona, it is a great way for him to stay connected to his home.
“Being far away from home and not having the opportunity to tell stories anymore,” is what Henley said inspired him to begin writing children’s books. He yearned to have “a deep connection with what I left off doing in the Virgin Islands” and said that living in Arizona makes it more challenging for the children on the mainland to relate to his stories.
“Our stories are for us. Our stories are not for others that’s not in touch with our culture,” said Henley.
He added that his latest storybook allows him to “give something back to the kids of the Virgin Islands that they can use and that can be a model for them.”
Since he was about 18 years old, Henley said he began telling stories with storytelling icon Glen “Kwabena” Davis. Davis became a mentor to him. He added that on his returns to St. Thomas, he takes time to tell stories to students in classes. In this way, he can continue to pass on the tradition.
“It can’t be preserved if we’re not passing on the importance,” said Henley.
According to the author, Anansi in Virgin Islands culture takes the same character identification as Bugs Bunny or Mickey Mouse.
“Taking that character and putting that character in very similar settings to our kids so our kids can relate to it, and using it as a tool to help us better their environment or better their skills, or even better their decision making skills, was the whole content,” he said.
“Anansi the Litter Bug” is Henley’s third published book. He has also published “Anansi and Mongoose” and “Anansi and Turtle,” having published the former in 2019.
“I only do children’s books because that’s my lane. I respect what other authors do. I don’t want to get distracted. I think I have a strong purpose that I need to fulfill and a big medium that I need to speak to kids, to translate directives to kids and they listen,” said Henley.
Of future stories, Henley said that he has two more books that are already written and are in the process of being illustrated. “Anansi the Litterbug” was the first book he illustrated, and he added that he is actively working on animating his books.
“The plan is to use technology as a vehicle to deliver the stories to our kids,” Henley said.
Thus far, “Anansi the Litterbug” has sold more than 300 copies.
“The support from the community has been a blessing,” said Henley. “The reality is if we set up positive pillars and we put [out] those positive pillars, we’ll have more of a positive outlet and more of a positive conversation to have than the negative ones.” He added that he is “Only operating with positive vibes.”
Henley’s books can be purchased on his website at https://books.yohancehenley.com/.
Henley said that he also helps other authors publish books that “speak to our children and speak to who they are.” He also wants to “continue to foster an environment with more authors, illustrators, from the Virgin Islands and the Caribbean as a whole.”
For more information or to contact Henley, email ywd340vi@gmail.com or call 520-728-4407 for details on becoming an author or illustrator.
