REFLECTION & REASON

This curated list of 21 books about Caribbean Carnival is part of Kya Publishing’s ongoing commitment to encourage continued study, inspire deeper understanding, and celebrate the vibrant legacy of Carnival culture. From its historical roots to its contemporary expressions, these titles help document our journey across decades and generations — reminding us that Carnival is more than a festival; it is a living testament to resistance, creativity, and community. May these books inform, empower, and connect readers to the stories, traditions, and voices that keep our Carnival spirit alive. 01) Ms. V's Hot Girl Summer - A.H. Cunningham (2025) 02) Carnival Curves - Stacey Robinson (2025) 03) Caribbean Carnival Hoe - Rachael Reed (2024) 04) Carnivals and Cultural Festivals of the Caribbean - Anthony Berot (2024) 05) Malaika, Carnival Queen - Nadia L. Hohn, Irene Luxbacher (2023) 06) Rekindling Our Carnival Rhythms: Reigniting Our Soul -...

CARNIVAL SPOTLIGHT (2014) by SM Robinson Paperback | Ebook I wrote this book as a follow up to " Video Light " and the lives of the main characters Delia and Ryan Wright. An admirer of Sister Souljah's writing , I truly appreciated how she would take various characters from her books, and develop them independently at another space in time. I loved the way that readers had the opportunity to follow up with characters later in life, and continue the fictional journey with them in another book. In writing "Carnival Spotlight" I wanted to explore Delia and Ryan's relationship and whether or not it was capable of evolving. In 2014, I was also headpiece-deep in the production and administration of Toronto's Caribbean Carnival with one of the city's larger masquerade bands, the Toronto Revellers , and I would often observe the social aspects of mas making and marvel at how unique and niche the experience really was. Participating in Toronto Carnival as a...

Every summer, in the weeks leading up to the traditional Toronto Caribbean Carnival Grand Parade Day, the mayor, local dignitaries, festival organizers, costumed masqueraders, and community members gather at Nathan Phillips Square to officially welcome in the upcoming weeks of festivities that Toronto's Caribbean community and allies anticipate as a highlight of the season. The Festival Management Committee, presented with an official proclamation from Toronto Mayor John Tory, launched this year's Toronto Carnival on Tuesday, July 9, providing context, praise, rules, and plenty of entertainment and Caribbean vibes for the hundreds gathered outside Toronto City Hall. With news media lined up as early as 10:00am, and steel pans positioned on stage, it was a familiar sight. We do this every year, and still look forward to the moment when the festivities ramp up. This is the time of year when summer weather has settled in to stay, when folks are on summer vacation, when touri...

It's often hard to articulate just how wonderful Caribbean carnival is as a cultural occurrence, as a point of legacy, as a hobby, and most importantly as a creative outlet for so many individuals around the world. The neverending calendar of carnivals, fetes, and launches give global carnival enthusiasts a permanent anticipation knowing that in just another few weeks there is another carnival...somewhere. For those of us residing in Toronto, that somewhere is right here on Lakeshore Boulevard, the CNE grounds, and the streets and parks of downtown that are embraced by the Caribbean festival every summer. The highlight for many, as it takes place during the long weekend preceding our Civic Holiday Monday (the first Monday in August), is that it also tends to mark the "end" of the official fete and boatride season, and the winding down of summer holidays in the weeks leading up to Labour Day and the beginning of a new school year. Right now, June, it is prime Toron...