Black Girl Excellence

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Stories We Love: 8-Year-Old Guyanese Girl, Anaya Lee Willabus, is the Youngest Published Female Author in the U.S

At the young age of 8, Anaya Lee Willabus will go down in US history as the  youngest published female author of a chapter book.  She was born in Brooklyn, NY to Guyanese parents, Rajmatie and Winston Willabus of Georgetown.  Anaya’s book, The Day Mohan Found His Confidence, tells the story of a young boy named Mohan and the many challenges he faces at home and at school.

Earlier this month, Anaya was recognized by Guyanese-born New York State Assemblywoman, Roxanne Persaud, and received a proclamation recognizing her work.  Anaya has been invited to over 10 different events locally and internationally to read, sign and promote her book and other initiatives, including reading and giving back.  Anaya’s book is currently available on www.amazon.com in paperback.

Here’s Anaya’s Bio

Anaya Lee Willabus is an eight year old author and visionary who enjoys reading and playing sports.Anaya was born and raised in Brooklyn, New York where she resides with her parents and two siblings.At the age of two, Anaya was taught to read by her father. Thereafter, she began to memorize books, demonstrating an acutely photographic memory. Anaya immerses herself in reading books of all genres throughout the year.During the Summer, she grew very fond of the summer reading initiative promoted by then Assemblyman, Alan Maisel. Mr. Maisel’s “Summer Reading Program” of which her school supports, proved to be a motivational challenge, as each year she sought to surpass the previous year’s book total.

The Day Mohan Found His Confidence
The Day Mohan Found His Confidence
Anaya reads in excess of forty books during the Summer. To maintain her comprehension skills, her parents challenged her to write detailed essays on many of the books she enjoyed and to illustrate her favorite part. With such development, Anaya enjoyed writing and expressing her opinion of her findings and further build on her literacy skills.

Although Anaya thoroughly enjoys reading, she believes that it is incredibly important to have a balanced and fit lifestyle! She enjoys spending time playing her favorite sport, soccer. She also practices Shotokan Karate. In her free time, she plays with her dolls, goes to the park and spends time with her family. Anaya aspires to be a well known author and teacher when she grows up.

Anaya’s book, “The Day Mohan Found His Confidence”, was written after her inaugural trip to her parents homeland of Guyana, South America in April of 2014. Upon her return, she started jotting notes from her visit, documenting cultural differences. Her composition of writings seemed worthy of her parents attention and was thereafter drafted on the computer. For over a year, Anaya’s writer’s-flow, which happened at any time, continually developed into her first published chapter book.

In speaking with Anaya, she emphasizes that this generation, while seemingly overwhelmed by technology, is full of children like herself, who still believe in the traditional ways of learning and entertainment…the reading and writing of a good book!

Anaya Lee’s mottos are, “Reading and Writing Will Always Be A Part Of Life” and “Continue To Dream Big”!

West Indian girls doing big things 😊💕