Carleton Students Publish Children’s Books

Keisha Cuffie (Bachelor of Arts, Political Science & Critical Race Studies)

Cuffie, a political science student minoring in critical race studies, is the author of D for Dazzling and The Time Keepers. Both books aim to empower young readers and fill gaps in representation within children’s literature.

Keisha Cuffie

“I think that we shouldn’t shy away from speaking about racism with children,” Cuffie says. “Research shows that children understand racism as early as one-year old. It’s sad, but it’s true.”

Cuffie’s journey into activism all started after the murder of George Floyd.

“Once that happened, I realized I could no longer be apathetic and leave the work to others,” she says.

This turning point led her to organize Black Lives Matter protests and become deeply involved in advocacy work, eventually culminating in her decision to write books that value and reflect experiences of Black individuals.

Her first book, D for Dazzling, was published in 2022 and emerged directly from her activism.

D is for Dazzling and The Time Keepers by Keisha Cuffie

“I wanted to write a book that was filled with affirmations, empowerment, self-love, and confidence for children,” Cuffie explains.

“And to show Black kids camping, playing hockey, doing things they don’t usually see themselves doing in mainstream media.”

Shortly after publishing D is for Dazzling, Cuffie was invited to be part of a roundtable with Upper Canada Village to discuss the lack of Black History representation. This led to her to being hired as the Village’s Black History Program Coordinator and first Black employee. Since then, she has played an integral role in the inaugural Black History exhibit. One of her roles involves working as an interpreter in 1800s-themed clothing, engaging with guests and sharing history.

As a direct result of her representation at the Village, another individual applied to a similar role. They said they had never considered applying before seeing Cuffie there.

“This is why representation matters,” Cuffie reiterates.

Becoming ingrained in Canada’s Black History, Cuffie wrote her second book, The Time Keepers. Set to be published on July 26 as the first in a planned three-book series, it delves into the history of Emancipation in Canada.

The story follows Tyra, who is transported back to the first Emancipation Day celebration in Canada on August 1, 1834, in Montreal. From there, she travels forward in time, learning about the history and significance of Emancipation in Canada.

Illustration from the Time Keepers

The book has already garnered significant attention. Both Senator Wanda Thomas Bernard and the Canadian Museum of History are is set to feature it for this year’s Emancipation Day celebrations.

“I want children to question why someone thought they could own someone else and understand the importance of fighting for everybody so we can all work together,” says Cuffie.

Furthering her advocacy work, Cuffie launched the Black Legacy Collective earlier this year. The non-profit organization focuses on community empowerment through wellness, representation and education in science, technology, engineering, arts and mathematics.

Throughout her time at Carleton, she has managed to balance her studies, advocacy work, writing, three part-time jobs, and being a mother of two. In the fall, she  will return to Carleton for a master’s degree and graduate diploma in curatorial studies. She will also be a teaching assistant, where she hopes to pass on lessons to other students.

“I really want to help students understand it’s okay to take things slower and find what you love,” Cuffie says.

“You have time, and it’s important to enjoy the process.”

Looking ahead, Cuffie is exploring a book about Victoria Lewis, an unsegregated school teacher in Cornwall in the 1800s, whose untold story she discovered at Upper Canada Village. This predates the first known Black teacher at a non-segregated school in Toronto by almost 100 years.