A Scribbles and Quills Recap: Inside Sherelle Stafford’s Book Launch, Lost in the Trini Jungle 1942. 

Written by Shari Mitchell

 As we walked into a quiet room at the Bagatelle Community Centre in Diego Martin, we did not expect that by the end of the evening, it would feel as if we had experienced more than a mere book launch – but a creative retelling of Trinidad’s World War II history. 

As we looked around the room, seated around us were family members, close friends, and supportive members of Sherelle’s publishing team – the very people who helped transform a dream into a tangible book now sitting proudly on our Scribbles and Quills shelves. The space was calm, intimate and personal, but we could still feel the shared sense of pride in the room. 

At the front of the room, the scene was beautifully curated. Copies of Lost in the Trini Jungle 1942 were displayed alongside newspaper clippings detailing World War II reports from Trinidad, grounding the story in real historical memory. Palm leaves, plants and coconuts framed the space, as a subtle nod to the jungle that plays such a vital role in the book. There were even prizes laid out for later in the evening, hinting that this launch would be interactive, playful, and communal. 

A Story Born from a Love of History, Nature and Curiosity 

The program opened with a World War II video, reminding us that while the Caribbean is often left out of global war narratives, Trinidad was very much impacted by the events of 1942. This contextual grounding made the transition into the book’s summary and blurb feel seamless. Lost in the Trini Jungle 1942 is not just an adventure story based during the wartime period – it is a historical snapshot, a preservation of life during a specific and often overlooked time in Trinidad’s history. 

We were then invited to participate in the first game of the event, “Who Am I?” – fully equipped with prizes – this immediately broke the barrier between audience and event. It felt less like a formal launch and more like being welcomed into someone’s living room. 

Energized by our first game, we soon after settled down to hear this first-time author read Chapter One of her book. There is something powerful about hearing a story in the voice of the person who birthed it. The words came alive! You could sense the care she took in shaping the world of Sally, the book’s young protagonist. 

The Interview: Layers Beneath the Story 

The heart of the evening then quickly unfolded during Sherelle’s interview with Tropical Literature Creatives. What followed was not just a discussion about a book, but about the why behind it. 

We learned that Lost in the Trini Jungle 1942 was originally written in 2017 as part of a school assignment, and what began as an academic requirement slowly evolved into something far greater. Sherelle shared that the year, 1942, was a deliberate choice – born out of her deep love for history and nature. 

One of the most compelling discussions centered on the relationship between Sally and Anita. Sherelle explained that she tried to truly embody Sally while writing – stepping into her emotions and worldview so the character would feel real and relatable. This intentionality shows up in the story’s emotional depth. 

It was also noted that Sally’s mother remains largely absent in this book. To our surprise, this absence was deliberate. Just when we, the audience, settled into that mystery, Sherelle surprised us with the revelation that Part Two is already in the works, and it will explore Sally’s mother in greater detail. The room visibly lit up at this news. 

Themes That Cut Close to Home 

As the conversation deepened, recurring themes also emerged: childhood, abandonment, bullying, forgiveness, and the mystery that runs like a quiet stream beneath everyday life. 

Sherelle spoke candidly on drawing from her experience as an educator. Working closely with children, particularly those from parentless homes or unstable environments, gave her insight into how children survive emotionally when proper guardianship is missing. 

She doesn’t shy away from difficult realities; instead, she asks the tough question: What happens beneath the surface? 

Another powerful moment came when she directly addressed adult responsibility. She reminded us that the choices, words, and behaviours of parents and adults directly shape how children engage with the world – for better or worse. 

Her message to adult readers was simple but striking: 

“Be careful. Be careful of what you say and do around your children. They absorb everything like a sponge.” 

Advice for Aspiring Writers 

When asked what advice she would give to aspiring authors, Sherelle’s response felt honest and encouraging: 

● Do it scared. 

● Just do it. 

● Silence the negative thoughts. 

● Take small steps toward your dream. 

● Get excited about the journey. 

● Attend workshops. 

● Talk to writing professionals. 

● Start writing – even if you don’t know where it’s going yet. 

She reminded us that the journey from writing to publishing can take years, and that’s okay. The most important thing is to start. The graphics, editing, and polish can come later. Finishing is the top priority that matters. 

Community, Gratitude, and Full Circle Moments 

The evening closed with more games – another round of Who Am I? and a word search featuring words pulled directly from her wartime masterpiece, reinforcing how interactive and thoughtfully designed the event was. 

Sherelle then culminated the experience with heartfelt gratitude to everyone who supported her journey. However, the moment which stood out to us most was when she thanked Scribbles and Quills for being the very first bookstore to place her work on the shelf. It was a full-circle moment cemented in community and strong belief in local stories. Shop Lost in the Trini Jungle 1942 here.

Leaving with More Than a Book 

As we walked out of the book launch experience at Bagatelle Community Centre, we left with a renewed respect for Caribbean storytelling, creativity, literary culture, first-time authors, and for the power of preserving history through fiction. 

Lost in the Trini Jungle 1942 book launch, was an experience that reminded us of why local voices deserve space, and why community-centered Caribbean literature will always have a home at Scribbles and Quills Independent Bookstore. 

Until our next bookish adventure, happy reading friends!