Chasing Butterflies in the Sunlight - by Morenike Euba Oyenusi (Hardcover)

Book Synopsis

Chasing Butterflies in Sunlight" describes the joys and innocence of childhood experienced by Ronke, growing up in a beautiful, culturally and racially diverse world on a University campus in Nigeria.

A Nigerian-American mother, Ronke, living in Baltimore, Maryland, with three young children, is somewhat exhausted by being pestered to tell them made up stories every night. In the hope that they will read to themselves, she decides to write them stories loosely based upon her wonderful experiences as a child growing up in the safe, idyllic, and comfortable environment of the University campus.

In the stories, which span seven of her formative years, Ronke learns about her family history, and enjoys many adventures and escapades and plenty of exciting travel within Nigeria and overseas, until she eventually has to leave her childhood behind.

Review Quotes

Reviewed By Rolanda Lyles for Readers' Favorite

"Oyenusi's writing is vividly descriptive and portrays the children's play in a way that I could visualize them. The illustrations included throughout the story were beautiful and helped to vividly portray the kids during their playtime together. I enjoyed that Oyenusi's writing depicted how children are naturally curious and don't always do as they are told. They can be naughty, but we still love them. As adults, sometimes we forget what it was like to be a kid, curious and wanting to explore and try things. I really enjoyed reading Oyenusi's story."

Reviewed in the United Kingdom by S. Aziz

"Chasing Butterflies in the Sunlight is a wonderfully written and important piece of fiction. Set at a university campus in Nigeria, it tells the everyday adventures of an elder sister, Ronke and her younger brother, Bobo. Our two young protagonists get up to much mischief as we see the world through their little eyes. The book will be enjoyed by both adults and children (especially when read together). I read a chapter from the book every night to my five year old, who listened with eager anticipation to each installment of Ronke and Bobo's escapades. Traditionally, there has been a dearth of children's literature that tell the stories of young people from black, ethnic minority and 'other' communities, which is only recently being addressed. Within this context, Ms Oyenusi's work adds to that growing cannon and what the Turkish writer, Elif Shafak, calls 'the revolutionary power of diverse thought'. In her own small and significant way, by telling stories about the land she came from, Ms Oyenusi is also telling us stories of what it means to be human. Well done. We look forward to your next piece of work."

Reviewed by Wakanyi Hoffman, A Global Nomad's Home blog

"...Chasing Butterflies in the Sunlight is creating a new shelf of classic tales that are contemporary and positively African. It is a tale that reveals glimpses of an African global nomad's childhood, which makes this particular book a trailblazer, shattering long-held tragic images about an average African lifestyle".

Reviewed in the United States by Eileen C.

"This is a BEAUTIFUL story, for both young and old. The writing is so vivid and completely made me remember what it felt like to be a child again. Even though I grew up in the middle of the Midwest, a completely different place, the feelings evoked are universal: trying to be good, but being human, getting into mischief and not always making the right choices, and the resulting feelings of regret and insecurity--yet being loved and forgiven despite our shortcomings--is reassuring and touching. The illustrations are gorgeous. In addition to the useful vocabulary found at the end, I found myself scouting out Google Earth to learn about a place I had previously known little about. I can't wait to share it with my family."

Reviewed in the United States by Jay Haddad

"This is an incredible story about family, friendship, and personal identity. The writing makes you feel nostalgia for experiences you have never had and places you have never been. The author transports you into the world seen from the eyes of a young girl. She perfectly depicts the stream of consciousness of a child, but with elements of wisdom that strike you at every turn. The illustration is absolutely stunning. I highly recommend for all ages!"