Sophina Jagot talks new Children’s Book & More

In the realm of children’s literature, Sophina Jagot is a powerful and entertaining voice.

Her new book, The Day the StarTribe Made a Magical Cake, is set to dazzle readers.

The book takes people on a magical journey told with sensitivity, intertwining fantasy with mental health.

It narrates the tale of delightful friends embarking on a challenging task and discovering themselves.

Sophina, also known as ‘Brwn Girl in the Ring’, has also narrated a fabulous EP that will accompany the book.

In our exclusive interview, Sophina Jagot spoke to us about the book and what led her to craft this delightful story.

Can you tell us a bit about The Day the StarTribe Made a Magical Cake? What is the story?

This is a story about a Tree-Dwelling Elf and her four forest friends: Magical Starman, Crystal Queen, Healing Wizard and Eartha the Snugly Bear.

This group of friends come up with an ingenious idea to restore the forest, changing the course of their adventure forever.

But their journey isn’t all smooth sailing – what will they uncover along the way?

What led you to create this story?

I took part in the Asian Writer programme in 2020 and created the story as part of that experience.

The project I had planned to write about felt too difficult.

I only had evening writing time, so I decided to set a goal of exploring my imagination in the most whimsical way possible, and this is what came out.

At the end of the programme, I realised the characters and world I had created could become a children’s book.

Whilst I never intended to write a children’s story, I’m so happy with the outcome, and I love Tree-Dwelling Elf’s little world!

What do you find fascinating about children’s literature, and how does it differ from books for adults?

I grew up on Enid Blyton, my favourites were the Magic Faraway Tree and Famous Five and also on Roald Dahl’s stories.

I loved the magic and playfulness, but the characters didn’t reflect anyone I knew.

Children’s books give you space to explore, imagine, and be in a state of wonder, and I found a place to create beings and characters who are more relevant to people today.

In my book, Tree Dwelling Elf is a Muslim elf, and all her friends are different to her in some way.

Whilst their differences aren’t the overt point of the story, I wanted to create a children’s book that moved away from the default white characters you find in many children’s books.

I wanted to create a world that spoke to brown, black, Muslim and ethnically diverse children and show that imagination could co-exist with that as well as reflect the world back to the readers.

What can you tell us about the EP accompanying the book?

The EP is a musical journey, taking children on an immersive adventure, making the book three-dimensional.

The EP takes listeners on a magical music journey, giving it intergenerational appeal to children and parents, guardians and carers.

The EP features the sounds of nature, bringing the book and woodland to life, and the musicality of the story and characters have been brought wonderfully to life by Reisz ‘Odd Priest’ Amos and Steady Steadman.

I wanted the story to be musical as well as written.

I wanted to imagine the sounds and for the reader to hear the sounds.

Music is really important to me and to Tree Dwelling Elf, and the EP is a magical musical journey of the story.

What inspired you to become an author?

I am a spoken word/poet. I create work to perform and deliver workshops in this.

I was in the process of prepping a collection of poems for publishing, and the children’s book actually came unexpectedly.

I always thought I would be a poetry book author, not a children’s book author.

The children’s book happened slightly by accident, but it’s clearly what the universe wanted, so I kept moving towards it.

I am super excited for the first book I am publishing to be a children’s book, and so grateful for the project grant funding from Arts Council England that’s made this possible.

Are there writers who have inspired you in your journey?

Enid Blyton and Roald Dahl inspired me as a child.

I also love the work Akala has created recently. He is a British rapper, journalist, author, activist and poet, and he represents the variety of children’s authors that have emerged recently.  

Do you have any advice for people who want to become writers?

Anyone and everyone is a writer. I would recommend every morning just starting with some free writing – some journaling.

It took me a long time to permit myself to call myself an artist or writer, so if you don’t know where to start, just start by writing a page every day.

Write whatever is in your mind, even if it is, ‘I don’t know what to write’ for the whole page.

Emptying your mind – think of it as mental laundry – is the best way to start, as it gets you into the habit.

I also tried to join as many online and in-person workshops as I could.

I’d recommend doing one/two-hour workshops where you learn handy techniques and prompts.

I also suggest you read as much as you can or listen to audiobooks and enjoy just the process.

Can you tell us anything about your future work?

I do have a poetry collection that I am currently collating, and I am looking for a publisher to bring that into the world, so watch this space for that.

My poetry collection is not children’s literature – it is for adults.

What do you hope readers take away from The Day the StarTribe Made a Magical Cake?

This is a story about a group of seemingly different friends who come together as a community to help the other beings in the forest.

The story is about community and calling in, not calling out – it’s about talking to and looking after each other.

I hope readers come away with feelings of warmth.

We don’t have to look the same, be the same, think the same, find ways of connecting and looking after each other and being friends.

The Day the StarTribe Made a Magical Cake promises to be an enthralling and enchanting read.

Sophina Jagot’s passion for her craft shines through her words of wisdom.

That will undoubtedly translate into the book, which gleans with magic and charm.

The EP audiobook will be released on platforms on November 9, 2024.

On November 7, a launch party for The Day the StarTribe Made a Magical Cake will be held at The Belgrade Theatre.

Sophina Jagot is an immensely talented writer, so be sure to get yourselves and your little ones a copy!