MCC’s 2026 World Book Day Book of Choice Announced

Medway Culture Club believes passionately in celebrating and supporting local talent, especially voices that reflect the rich diversity of our community. Reading books by local authors not only nurtures creativity close to home, but helps children see their own cultures, families, and experiences reflected in the stories they read.

We are delighted to share A Carnival Parade for Juliet and Effie as our World Book Day 2026 Book of Choice. World Book Day takes place on Thursday 5 March 2026, a global celebration of reading, storytelling, and the power of books to connect us all.

Author, Laurina Moody, began writing her book during lockdown, following the recent loss of her mother and amid the uncertainty of Covid. With a young granddaughter, Juliet, she became deeply aware of her own mortality and began to question what legacy she might leave behind. That question became the seed for a children’s story grounded in family, memory, and heritage.

The book is inspired by the beautiful Caribbean island of St Lucia, where Laurina’s parents came from in 1960 as part of the Windrush generation. Her mother returned to the island whenever she could, bringing back stories, food, language, and music. One particular memory, a record played repeatedly at home with her parents singing and dancing, lives on in the book through a remembered chorus, included as a loving tribute. Throughout the story, Laurina weaves in the tastes, smells, Creole patois, and traditions of her childhood, preserving these memories through storytelling.

Laurina reading her book to children at a local primary school

Over time, the book evolved to include Laurina’s second granddaughter, Effie, born in 2020, and just before publication, an illustration of a pram was added to recognise her third granddaughter, Cleo, born in 2024, turning the book into a living family legacy.

A playful parrot appears on all but one page, encouraging young readers to engage with the story, inspired by the way Laurina’s granddaughters enjoy interactive books. Vibrant, colourful illustrations were also essential, and she was delighted that the illustrator captured the warmth and joy of Caribbean carnival so beautifully.

Although the publishing process was a steep learning curve, Laurina ultimately chose to self publish on Amazon after traditional publishers required significant upfront costs. The result is a book that is about far more than a parade. It is a celebration of Juliet’s love for her island home, the strength of a mother’s support, friendship, and the rhythms, joy, and sense of belonging that define Caribbean culture.

📚 To purchase a copy of A Carnival Parade for Juliet and Effie, please contact the author directly: Laurinamoody@hotmail.com