Five Questions with... Casey Elisha author of I Can Be That Too
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1. To begin, as the author of I Can Be That Too, please can you tell us what your book is about?
I Can Be That Too follows a young girl as she explores the various different careers she could venture into as a grown up! The book touches on a range of careers from a chef and a singer to an architect and an artist. I released the book alongside a colouring workbook so that the learning could be continued beyond the book. The workbook delves deeper into the careers mentioned in the book as well as touching on a few others like an entrepreneur.
2. The book was funded by a National Lottery Project Grant – what did this money enable you to do?
This funding allowed me to do a lot of things! This is the first time I’ve released a book with financial backing, so it allowed me to approach the project in a slightly different way. It allowed me to do a double release, with the book and a workbook at the same time, something I’ve never done before.
The funding also allowed me to give back. All children deserve to own and have access to books with characters that look like them but unfortunately not all families can afford them. The coronavirus pandemic made this even harder for some people, with incomes dropping and accessibility to books being impacted as a result. The funding from the Arts Council allowed me to give a large number of books away for free to these families. I was also able to give books away to schools, many who often don’t have large budgets that allow them to diversify the books in their classrooms. I think, for me, that’s what I’ve loved the most about this project, being able to give back.
What drove me to write it was my want to create a story that inspired and empowered children to dream big.
3. What inspired you to write I Can Be That Too and please could you explain your creative process for other aspiring authors?
I wouldn’t say anything ‘inspired’ me to write this book. What drove me to write it was my want to create a story that inspired and empowered children to dream big. I also wanted to create another story to contribute to the lack of children’s books featuring diverse characters as highlighted in the recent study by the Centre for Literacy in Primary Education (CLPE). Additionally, the character in the book, Kemi, is the same character from my debut book Love Thy Fro. Since its release in 2015, Love Thy Fro continues to get such positive feedback from readers. I wanted to create a book where readers could continue to engage with Kemi while being empowered, inspired and educated.
I don’t have a solid creative process but I think that’s an important thing for other aspiring authors to note and accept. I get ideas at the most random times, and then just write until the idea is out of me. Other times I have nothing and when I have nothing I make sure I don’t force it. I can go a long time with nothing, but I don’t beat myself up about it. Inspiration comes when it comes. The most important thing is that when that wave hits you, you get it all out of you then you come back and refine as needed. Once I have my idea, I have a small number of people I like to share with who give me their honest feedback. When I feel comfortable, I then work on if and how I’m going to get that out to the world.
4. What has been the reaction from readers? Have you had any feedback from young girls that has stood out?
Overall, the response to the book has been positive. People have been posting about it and people have been positively surprised that I’ve released something new, as I’m often asked when the new book is coming! The feedback I’ve got so far has been around which career children have been drawn to in the book, and parents reminiscing about what they wanted to be as a child. I tend to get the most interesting and funny stories when I engage with people in person.
5. Is there anything taking place this Black History Month that you are looking forward to?
I’m going to be at Cocoa Kids Fest on Sunday 24 October which I’m really looking forward to! I created a literary festival a few years ago and seeing so many young black children engaging with authors, businesses and workshops that empowered them and looked like them was incredible. I know Cocoa Fest is going to be the same energy x 100! Plus, I haven’t done an in person event in such a long time, so it’s going to be lovely being able to meet people face to face again.
