Local author introduces new cartoon book

(CNS): Children’s author and illustrator Lady Rabia launched Cayman’s first cartoon series, Kaa Kaa & Tokyo, and its debut book, Kaa Kaa & Tokyo in Babysittin’ ‘Lil Kelly, on Saturday. A Cayman Bracker, Rabia has already published forty-eight short children’s stories and articles for Qkids Comics in Saudi Arabia. Based in the1930’s, this debut series captures the essence of “the good ole days”, when the Cayman Islands were merely a tiny, isolated fishing community, according to a release about the new books.

The series features the characters Kaa Kaa, and Tokyo, her clumsy 57-year-old nephew, who constantly experiences one mishap after another. “Although Kaa Kaa is always on-hand to provide her maternal protection, it is always accompanied by her witty sarcasm and the funny duo is always surrounded by an array of equally amusing neighbours,” the release stated.

The tales use humour, rhymes and authentic illustrations to enchant readers, young and old, back to a time of simple island life, while educating readers about “the isles that time forgot.”

Billed as a comical piece of work, in this first story Kaa Kaa ignores Tokyo's warnings and agrees to babysit cute 'lil Kelly. She never imagined the trouble in store. Set in the Cayman Islands in the "good, old days", the slapstick tale of rocks, pans, "pillows", dead birds and belts proves babysitting can be a hazardous job.

Lady Rabia is also the author of Rising: Powerful Poetry. Her poetry and photography were featured in a solo exhibit which toured the Cayman Islands for in 2004. She has several other books due to be published including Growing Up Carib,  Diary of a Sister Mommy and her own dramatic true story: A Mother’s Promise: The Lady Rabia Story, which is due next spring.