FOR Jamaican author, farmer and founder of Jah Español, Amelia Pryce-Malcolm, the limited availability of Spanish-learning resources for children in Jamaica inspired her book, Tassie.

The book follows the life of a hen named Tassie on a farm, and provides English-Spanish translations to introduce young readers to Spanish vocabulary. Designed for toddlers and preschoolers, Pryce-Malcolm drew inspiration from her work and personal life to create a story that aims to engage children in the Spanish language.

“We had a cat, and her name was Tassi,” she said, explaining the muse for the main character. “We loved that cat dearly. And then, being that I’m a farmer the whole combination of being a farmer and an author is displayed within the story.”