By Johanna McCalmont

This week Nigerian author and World Kid Lit regular contributor Ayò Oyeku talks to us about his new picture book, What Happened on Thursday? A Nigerian Civil War Story (Amazon Crossing, 2024).

Johanna McCalmont: Congratulations on your new release What Happened on Thursday? It’s a special book and not easy to sum up in a short review. It’s moving to see a picture book for young readers that not only recounts a key event in history, but also talks about a tough subject like war. How did you come to write it?

Ayo Oyeku: Being born on a Thursday myself made me curious about notable events that happened on Thursdays across the world. It might sound like a pointless mission, but that was my way both of killing time and also of expanding my knowledge about things that truly matter. July 6, 1967 marked the beginning of the Nigerian Civil War. Writing about such a memorable event in Nigeria came with some level of discomfort for me, but the joy in knowing that there was light at the end of the tunnel on another Thursday, January 15, 1970, gave me the much-needed comfort to write such a powerful story.

JM: The story spans three years of civil war—or two birthdays missed as the narrator tells us. Was it hard picking out representative scenes to span the period and reflect the range of trauma children face during wartime?

AO: A quick search about the Nigerian Civil war will bring up tons of images and endless accounts that will make goose bumps spread over your skin. This is an experience that has created an indelible mark in the fabric of my nation, Nigeria. It was very difficult, therefore, to find the best way to tell the story for young minds. I ended up using prose poetry to convey the message, without distorting the minds of children. I’m glad my illustrator, Lydia Mba, was able to use her invaluable experience to turn the words into moving illustrations.

JM: Can you tell us about the characters in the book? The main narrator seems to be one of the children, surrounded by their parents, right to the end. How did they come to you?

AO: The war happened and it affected millions of children. It would be unfair to tell the story using a particular gender. I wanted children to see themselves in this story, irrespective of their gender. This, I was able to do, using the ‘first-person’ narrative. Lydia Mba ensured that the two children in this family were well represented across the pages. It’s quite interesting to note from the feedback I’ve received, some readers felt it was the boy that was narrating the experience, while others felt it was the girl. My goal was for readers to hear the voice of a child, which I believe I’ve succeeded in doing.

JM: Death is not mentioned explicitly in the book, but its presence is evident. I think the spread with the burning houses and final line ‘I see many things I should not see,’ is perhaps one of the most powerful parts of the story. What would you say to adults who may be worried the theme is too heavy for a picture book?

AO: The night hours may be dark and scary for children, but we point to the stars and moon, to remind children that it would be daybreak soon and the glory of the sunlight will not just bring beauty into the world again but also chase away their fears. It’s in the same vein that parents shouldn’t shield their children from reading important books like this, instead let it serve as a reminder to children that we live in a beautiful, yet imperfect world, and we strive daily to make it a better place.

JM: The rhythm in your beautiful text often feels like a traditional nursery rhyme or poem in places—contrasting starkly with the story being narrated. Was there any particular inspiration for the style?

AO: I started my writing career over two decades ago with poetry. Poetry is air, water, sound, and everything that makes the earth rotate on its axis. To tell this story properly, I had to lean on my poetic strength. I’m glad readers have come to appreciate it.

JM: Can you tell us about how you worked with the illustrator?

 AO: I owe much gratitude to my editor, Marilyn Brigham. She believed in the story right from the time I submitted it and made it her mission to turn it into a classic—which I believe this book will eventually become. Marilyn suggested we work with Lydia Mba, who turned out to be an excellent choice. Being an Afro-Spanish illustrator, Lydia’s background and wealth of experience shined through the pages. I had nothing to worry about during the illustration process. Marilyn tidied up all the loose ends and carried me along every step of the way. For this, I am grateful to both of them.

JM: I found the two pages of notes at the end very helpful. They offer both background about the Nigerian civil war in 1967-1970 and your own personal reflections. What sort of readers do you imagine will read the book? How important is it for stories like these to include additional material?

AO: What Happened on Thursday? is a 40-page picture book suitable for ages 7 to 9 but it can, of course, also be read by older children and adults too. The notes at the end of the book dig into the historical facts behind the book—shining much needed light onto this poignant story. Sometimes for us to move forward, we have to look back. This picture book calls for reflection into our lives and how we run the world. Additional materials like this in picture books help readers to separate fact from fiction. I wish the account were purely fiction, but sadly it isn’t.

JM: You dedicate the story to ‘the little voices that were not heard.’ Are there other stories you feel need to be told?

AO: When the war happened, those who dictated its pace did not listen to the little voices that were crying and yearning for peace. This troubled me much. Across the world, when matters of war and instability are being discussed, the voices of children are never heard or considered. Even when it seems like they are heard; they are often used to serve political agendas. This is unfair. I’ll say this, like I’ve always said, “treat every child like your own, for every child—no matter the circumstances surrounding their birth—remains the beacon to our glorious future.” There are several stories echoing the injustice meted out to children across the world. Many are out-of-school. Many are victims of child marriages. Many can’t even get their daily bread. Some of them have lost their power to dream. These are topical issues that must be addressed with all sincerity. I have written on some of these themes, though, yet to be published. Still, I’m urging children’s book authors across the world to bring these issues to the front burner through the art of storytelling. Our children are the future.