Children’s book with a truly Lankan touch
View(s):It is difficult to say whether Shari Amara-suriya’s love for children or art came first. A combination of both is what ‘The Sunday Fair’ is all about. She wrote and illustrated this book initially for her god-daughter Nyika. It was subsequently published by Popsicle Books, an imprint of the Perera Hussein Publishing House.
Following her primary education at Bishop’s College Colombo, Shari left to the UK to study art and design. She then returned to Sri Lanka to complete her degree in Graphics at the Academy of Design, obtaining a BA Hons. from the University of Northumbria. In her early years, her interest in art was nurtured by Noeline Fernando, with whom she studied from the age of 5 years.
Whilst studying for her degree Shari had a part time job at Little House Nursery, where she thoroughly enjoyed working with kids. At present she is living in Australia, and working on her next book.
Describing the book as a joy to read,Rochelle Thissarachchi, Head of KG Bishop’s College, writes:
“As she turned the pages to look at the pictures, my four-year-old niece exclaimed “wow look there is a map!’’ The attention to detail, attractive graphics and page after page of vibrant colourful illustrations draws the child and soon the Sunday Fair becomes a ‘hip’ place to be. In the age of supermarkets, department stores and malls, the Sri Lankan child is given a glimpse of their heritage and the days gone by; the simple innocence of childhood.
The small-size, wipeable pages are child friendly. This little book contains just enough information, action and detail to hold their somewhat short attention spans. It is culturally informative and very ‘Sri Lankan’. The text has a poetic rhythm.
The syntax of the text takes the reader away from the mundane read of left to right. The language is fairly easy and can be tackled by a beginner as the words are mostly phonetic. Well done Shari!”
Book facts
The Sunday Fair-written and illustrated by Shari Amarasuriya