Dr Patricia G. Turnbull, local author, doing a reading of her book 'Ti Koko and Kush Kush at Queen Elizabeth II Park on February 18, 2018. Photo: VINO

Dr Patricia G. Turnbull, local author, calls for more support for the creative minds in the community at her book launch for 'Ti Koko and Kush Kush' on Sunday, February 18, 2018 at the Queen Elizabeth Park II in Road Town, Tortola. Photo: VINO

Impromptu performance from children from the audience. Photo: VINO

Dr Cassandra Titley O' Neal, local environmentalist, stated that the book promotes good environmental awareness to the children. Photo: VINO

The book launch was held on Sunday, February 18, 2018 at the Queen Elizabeth II Park in Road Town, Tortola.

‘Ti Koko and Kush Kush’ is a poem-style story of the colorfully illustrated book that takes readers to a Caribbean garden where a friendship between two unlikely friends blossoms. The literary piece blends environmental themes for a wonderful comeback story for children ages four to nine, and for teens and adults who enjoy reading to younger children.

"I think we are the most ignored among the artists in our community," while admitting that she would be considered "lazy" for wanting to write a book rather than doing anything else.

Dr Turnbull pointed out that the children who are "gifted" in the arts are ignored and persons in the community "stifle" their creative gifts.

She said it is not that they are more special than anybody else, "but they have a gift that has gone unnoticed for too long."

The local author commented that children are very "eager to express themselves and their gift" but lamented that their gifts are stifled rather than nurtured.

"We create man-made disasters"

Meanwhile, Dr Turnbull disclosed that she wrote the book before the August and September 2017 flood and hurricanes, not knowing it would also speak to what took place.

In addition, she explained that she wrote the book based on the destruction of the plants on the hillside as well as about the culture, history and environmental heritage for the children.

"About three years ago - I had no notion of hurricane or flood- what I did see though on our hillside was impending danger. The way we ourselves create man-made disasters with the lands that we inherited," expressed the local author.

'Most persons view plants as bush'- Dr Cassandra Titley O'Neal

During her congratulatory remarks, Dr Cassandra Titley O' Neal, local environmentalist, stated that the book promotes good environmental awareness to the children.

She said, "It was an idealistic way to promote environmental awareness to the younger generation of the BVIslanders since most persons today view plants as 'bush'. It gives plants a resounding voice that somehow seems to have been lost or silenced as the BVI has begun its development."