‘A GAME of Friendship’, a children’s book written by seven children and Wanda Stoby-Layne, was recently launched at the Friendship Primary School.
Stoby-Layne, an educator with over 20 years’ experience working with children in Guyana and the USA was recently assisted the students in getting the book together.
Set in Guyana, A Game of Friendship is about kids learning to work together and finding friends in unexpected places.

Six kids become a team to earn a chance to watch the cricket World Cup. Nick Hunter, the main character, learns that even though there’s an I in his name, there’s no I in team.
“A lovely read,” said Ian Bishop, former West Indies fast bowler and current international cricket commentator. “I love the use of modern terms like ‘the Griddy,’ ‘He’s not him,’ and using the right/left combinations, etc. It really made me laugh out loud.”
According to Wanda the idea for the book came as a result of her wanting to reward the children who showed up on Zoom for Sunday Stories.
Wanda had also bought many books for them and wanted to do something different.

They chose cricket because Wanda and some of the young authors loved the sport.
“The T20 World Cup was a few months away and Guyana was hosting matches. We thought it would be good if the children could get a book that was relatable to their experiences, regardless if they liked cricket or not. This book contains universal themes, like friendship and teamwork. We had hoped that the book would have been out before the World Cup, but it was derailed by many things including the work done by the illustrator.”
Despite those challenges, I was able to copyright the book, pay for the ISBN from Amazon (Amazon’s free ISBN only permits the book to be sold on their platform) so that it could be sold in bookstores, and acquire a Library of Congress Control Number (LCCN) which means that the book can be carried by libraries in the USA. The paperback and eBook versions are currently available on Amazon,” disclosed Wanda who is presently conducting a Summer Camp in Buxton.
The Allen siblings are attending the Malteenoes Cricket Academy for the second year.

About the authors
Khess Allen attended Westfield Prep Schools. He wrote NGSA and was awarded a place at Christ Church Secondary School.
Sinach Allen attends Westfield Prep School. At nine years old, she’s the youngest on the team.
Kaiya Daniels attended Green Acres Primary School. She wrote the NGSA and was awarded a place at Queen’s College. She placed second in the country.
Ariel Layne resides in Southern California. She will start high school in August.

Jenell Thomas attended La Grange Primary School. She wrote the NGSA and was awarded a place at West Minister’s Secondary School.
Jayden Wilson attended Company Road Primary School (Buxton). He wrote the NGSA and was awarded a place at St. Rose’s. He was the top student at his school.
Shaquon Wilson is a Barbadian who resides in Guyana. He attends Queen’s College. He wrote NGSA last year and was the top student for his school, Swami Purnanada Primary School.
The paperback is available at Austin’s Book Services in Georgetown. (Sean Devers)