The Secret of the Bush: A Story of Healing and Repair (Family Event)

The Secret of the Bush is a collaboration between Dr Grazia Caleo and the illustrator-and-historian, Kremena Dimitrova. The children’s book contributes to the topic of intergenerational relationships in children’s literature by means of addressing the challenging subject of the Ebola outbreak in West Africa. 

This event will include a talk and a creative workshop for children ages 7-13 years old. The workshop will use a multi-method approach including creative writing (poetry), illustration, and collage making inspired by natural materials (leaves, roots, soil, etc.) to express personal connections and narratives about disease, environment, and relationships.

The event aims to inspire curiosity and to offer a new poetic narrative of healing and repair concerning the Ebola outbreaks. The talk will open a window into the world of a child in rural Africa whose life is intertwined with her grandmother’s memories and ancestral practices. We will explore how these intergenerational relationships contribute to resilience and community cohesion in the face of disease. The talk will be followed by a discussion of the co-creation process and story-picture building of the book, shedding light on how the book’s visual elements were brought to life. 

Find out more about The Secret of the Bush: A Story of Healing and Repair (Adults 18+) taking place on 8 November.