Actress, singer, producer, and author Tatyana Ali is expanding her creative horizons with the release of her debut children’s book, Aszi and the Octopus. Inspired by her son’s fascination with marine life, the book is more than just a whimsical underwater adventure; it’s a testament to the power of imagination and a contribution to a growing movement focused on representation in children’s literature. Ali discussed the book, her work with Scholastic’s Rising Voices program, and the importance of fostering a love of reading at home during a recent conversation with Kid Reporter Enya Yang at Beyond Text Bookstore in Los Gatos, California.
Aszi and the Octopus, part of Scholastic’s Rising Voices: Honoring the Richness of Black Stories, blossomed from a simple observation: her son Aszi’s lifelong affection for octopuses. “Ever since he was a little baby, instead of having a teddy bear, he had a stuffed octopus,” Ali explained. The story, she added, captures the magical world Aszi created in his imagination, a world often explored during family beach trips. The book’s creation, spanning approximately two years, was a collaborative process, nurtured by Scholastic’s encouragement and Ali’s dedication to the Rising Voices Collection.
Balancing a multifaceted career with motherhood is a constant act of prioritization, Ali admits. “Well, [being a] mom comes first,” she said. “I think balance is kind of about prioritizing at different times. When I have an acting job, I concentrate on that. Given that I was able to write over a long time, I kept coming back to this.” She credits her husband, family, friends, and community for their unwavering support, allowing her to pursue her various passions.
Fostering a Love of Reading at Home
Reading is a cornerstone of the Ali household. “We pretty much read every night before bedtime,” she shared. Currently, the family is immersed in a novel called Dead Lands, but the routine extends beyond bedtime stories. Ali also incorporates twenty minutes of daily reading for her children, recognizing the vital connection between reading and academic success. “With my work, there’s always a lot of reading,” she added, emphasizing the pervasive role of literacy in their lives.
The core message of Aszi and the Octopus, Ali hopes, will resonate with young readers and their families: pursue your passions relentlessly. “Whatever you’re interested in, whatever you enjoy doing, move after it because it takes you to amazing places,” she explained, reflecting on her own journey as a performer and her son’s enthusiasm for marine biology. “It can make your whole life an adventure.”
Rising Voices: Empowering Through Representation
Ali’s commitment to children’s literacy extends beyond her own writing through her role as a mentor for Scholastic’s Rising Voices program. The program focuses on creating libraries with diverse collections, ensuring that children observe themselves reflected in the books they read. As the mentor for books featuring girls as main characters with a STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Math) focus, Ali champions the importance of representation. “The Rising Voices Collection makes sure that every child can see themselves in the books around them, in their classroom libraries,” she stated. “That’s really important. We talk about representation, but it’s important when you go to your classroom, and you look around at all the books, and you see characters that look like you and look like the other people in your community.”
Her experience working with young readers has underscored the power of relatable characters. “What I’m always surprised by is that as soon as kids see characters that remind them of their neighbors or remind them of people in their families, the interest level is much higher,” Ali observed. “Automatically they start pointing to the pictures; they start listening to the story in a deeper way.” She also noted that her children’s enthusiasm for reading is amplified when she shares her own excitement for books.
A Young Reader’s Perspective
Aszi himself shared his thoughts on the book, expressing his delight that it “represented my imagination.” His favorite character is, unsurprisingly, the octopus, and he particularly enjoyed the scene with the “bunch of octopus babies.” He also shared that drawing and creating art, especially monsters and sea animals, is a shared activity that inspires him and his mother.
When asked what he hopes other children will feel when reading Aszi and the Octopus, Aszi simply stated, “I hope they feel inspired to be creative.”
Tatyana Ali’s journey from beloved television star to published author demonstrates a commitment to storytelling and a dedication to empowering the next generation of readers. Her work with Scholastic’s Rising Voices program and her own children’s book are a testament to the transformative power of representation and the enduring magic of imagination. As Ali continues to balance her diverse career, her focus remains firmly on fostering a love of reading and inspiring young minds to explore the world around them.
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