Why I wrote ‘Ugo and Ify at Christmas’ – Foluke Falayi

By Isa Isawade

Foluke Sijuwola Falayi, a prolific author of children’s books, is the writer of the popular ‘Ugo and Ify at Christmas’, a title that has enjoyed wide readership among schoolchildren every year since its publication in 2012.

A passionate literacy advocate, Foluke has authored over twenty books read in schools across Africa. Her works aim to nurture in children a strong reading culture, inspire a love for education, and promote values grounded in morality and godliness. She believes deeply that a life without education lacks meaningful completeness.

Foluke’s love for children is boundless. She remains committed to educating young people and helping them become the best versions of themselves.

What, then, is the connection between Christmas and children’s education? Why did she choose to write a Christmas-themed book? Foluke explains her inspiration:

What prompted my writing Ugo and Ify at Christmas was that before writing it, I never read African story about Christmas, I saw children read foreign books talking about snow during the Christmas season which many African children never experienced. So, I was inspired to write ‘Ugo and Ify at Christmas’, a Christmas story where there’s harmattan, visiting Santa Claus or ‘Father Christmas’, acting The Birth of Jesus, and where love and joy fill the air.”

According to her, Christmas in Africa is “a time to visit friends and family, and to travel. It is a season when both wealthy and less privileged children enjoy jollof rice and chicken to their fill. A Christmas when children eagerly look forward to new shoes and clothes.”

This, she maintains, reflects the real African Christmas experience- not snowy scenes that many African children have never witnessed and may never encounter.

‘Ugo and Ify at Christmas’ is an engaging story of a quest in which the main character, Ugo, loses something precious due to disobedience but eventually finds it again through a twist of fortune.

The author emphasises that readers will encounter a central message of restoration which is one of the true meanings of Christmas.

Ugo, a brave and intelligent child, learns an important lesson from the consequences of his disobedience and resolves never to disobey his parents again.

This book effectively teaches virtues such as obedience, honesty, love, and generosity. It is a must-read for children and parents alike, and a meaningful addition to every home.

Other books by Falayi include The Little Prince and the Sluggish Servant; The Pride of Parents; The Rainy Day; Ada in Port Harcourt; Unbending Steel; The Gift from Ibadan; and Beans for Supper.

Others are Akeju’s Turnaround; The Reverend’s Daughter; Repose; A Night at Edet’s House; The Slaves in the Palace; The Headmaster’s Boy; Sam Goes to College; The Last Penny; Trouble in the Exam; Happy Time; and One Two Three Poetry.

She is also the convener of “Read with Me on International Literacy Day.”