In the Caribbean, storytelling is part of who we are. It’s the way our histories, wisdom, and humour have been passed down through generations. From moonlit Anansi stories to fireside folktales, storytelling has shaped the way we see ourselves and our world.

Recently, through two of our dynamic Jamaican authors Jean Hawthorne DaCosta (Leroy Adventures of a Yaad Boy and Jamaica in My Tummy) and Paula-Anne Porter Jones (Sandy, Tosh and the Moo Cow), we joined the global celebration of World Read Aloud Day, sharing stories with eager young listeners. Their wide eyes, laughter, and thoughtful questions were a reminder of how magical stories can be when spoken aloud. Books are more than just pages—they are portals to new adventures, new ideas, and new dreams. And read-alouds amplify this impact; they are the perfect conflation of traditional storytelling and publishing.

Three Reasons to Read Aloud

  1. Sparks Imagination and Creativity: Whether it’s the cleverness of Anansi or the eerie presence of La Diablesse, or the danger of being lost in the Cockpit Country, our stories encourage children to dream, wonder, and explore. Reading aloud brings these tales to life, inviting young minds to picture every scene, feel every emotion, and even create their own stories in response.

  2. Strengthens Language Skills: Listening to stories read aloud helps children absorb new words, phrases, and ways of expressing themselves. Caribbean storytelling, with its rich dialects and lyrical flow, teaches kids the beauty of language—how it sounds, how it moves, how it feels in the mouth. When we read to children, we’re not just entertaining them; we’re helping them become confident speakers and expressive storytellers in their own right.
  3. Encourages Bonding: Storytelling is a shared experience. A parent reading at bedtime, a teacher bringing a book to life in the classroom, an elder recounting a folktale—these are moments of connection. They remind us that stories are also about the people we share them with. In a world that often pulls us in different directions, sitting together with a book in hand is a powerful way to slow down and be present.

World Read Aloud Day was a beautiful reminder of the power of storytelling. But the magic of reading aloud shouldn’t be limited to just one day. Whether it’s sharing a book with a child, telling a story from memory, or simply making space for young voices to tell their own tales, stories are how we understand the world and each other. 

So let’s keep reading, keep telling, and keep listening—one story at a time.