13-year-old girl publishes bilingual book series
Since she was 11 years old, Gabriella Kikwaki has been self-publishing books.
The young girl from London, Ont. has published a series of fantasy books, most of which are bilingual, published in both French and English.
“I’ve written 12 books but five of them are published and whispering willow will be joining the five soon,” said Kikwaki.
She told CTV News that she enjoys writing about galaxies and parallel universes, which are revealed throughout her novels.
“I like the fantasy genre because you can really write it the way you want like you can add a bunch of mythical things like super powers,” she said.
Kikwaki wrote her first book called ‘A Link Between Two Worlds’ at the age of 11. Two years later she has a new upcoming bilingual book called ‘Whispering Willow.’
All of her books with the exception of ‘Twisted Destiny’ are bilingual.
With her unique story, Kikwaki encourages others her age to pursue writing if it's something they enjoy.
She's also decided to put her skills to good use by taking a portion of her book sales and donating them to UNICEF, her mother Angel said.
“One day she shows up and says she has 50 pages and I said ‘wow that’s very interesting, let me read it and look at it,’ ” said her father Olivier.
He told CTV News that Gabriella began writing in her journal daily. That was the start of her writing career, he said. “That's when it hit us that she really wanted to become an author”
As the number of pages she wrote grew so did her parent's confidence in her ability to become published.
“I feel so happy and proud of my daughter,” said her mother. “I wanted to cry and I just gave her a hug.”
Reaching for the stars, her brother Ange said, “Maybe her books might become a movie and maybe very popular.”
Those interested in meeting Gabriella can do so this Saturday at her book signing at the Best Western on Wellington Road in London from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m.
“I’m excited but kind of also a little nervous because I’m going to be talking to more than five people at the same time,” she said.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Former homicide detective explains how police will investigate shooting outside Drake's Bridle Path mansion
Footage from dozens of security cameras in the area of Drake’s Bridle Path mansion could be the key to identifying the suspect responsible for shooting and seriously injuring a security guard outside the rapper’s sprawling home early Tuesday morning, a former Toronto homicide detective says.
Federal government grants B.C.'s request to recriminalize hard drugs in public spaces
The federal government is granting British Columbia's request to recriminalize hard drugs in public spaces, nearly two weeks after the province asked to end its pilot project early over concerns of public drug use.
Stormy Daniels describes meeting Trump during occasionally graphic testimony in hush money trial
Stormy Daniels took the witness stand Tuesday at Donald Trump's hush money trial, describing for jurors a sexual encounter the porn actor says she had with him in 2006 that resulted in her being paid off to keep silent during the presidential race 10 years later.
MPs agree Canadian gov't should improve new disability benefit
The federal government needs to safeguard the incoming Canada Disability Benefit from clawbacks and do more to ensure it actually meets the stated aim of lifting people living with disabilities out of poverty, MPs from all parties agree.
Bye-bye bag fee: Calgary repeals single-use bylaw
A Calgary bylaw requiring businesses to charge a minimum bag fee and only provide single-use items when requested has officially been tossed.
CFL suspends Argos QB Chad Kelly at least nine games following investigation
The CFL suspended Toronto Argonauts quarterback Chad Kelly for at least nine regular-season games Tuesday following its investigation into a lawsuit filed by a former strength-and-conditioning coach against both the player and club.
Boy Scouts of America changing name for first time in 114 years, aiming for inclusivity
The Boy Scouts of America is changing its name for the first time in its 114-year history and will become Scouting America. It's a significant shift as the organization emerges from bankruptcy following a flood of sexual abuse claims and seeks to focus on inclusion.
opinion Tom Mulcair: Trudeau's handling of Poilievre's 'wacko' House turfing a clear sign of Liberal desperation
When Speaker Greg Fergus tossed out Pierre Poilievre from the House last week, "those of us who have experience as parliamentarians simply couldn't believe our eyes," writes former NDP leader Tom Mulcair in his column for CTVNews.ca
New charges for Ont. woman who previously admitted to defrauding doulas
The Brantford, Ont. woman who was previously sentenced to house arrest after admitting to deceiving doulas has been charged again in connection to a new victim.