Lesedi's Little Light: An Interview with Bakang Akoonyatse

What happens when a children’s book is born from both grief and love? When storytelling becomes a prayer answered in ink?

In this interview, Bakang Akoonyatse opens up about Lesedi’s Little Light; a tender children’s book that explores loss, healing, and the enduring power of love. With her own words, she lets us into the heart of the story and the light behind it.

Let's dive into the interview proper. Sit tight.

Q: What inspired this story, and what moment made you realize this was the book you had to write?

Lesedi’s Little Light was inspired by my relationship with my grandmother and my children, specifically how their support has helped me to get through hard times and find the light at the end of the tunnel.

I wanted to write a book that showed appreciation for the bond that we share. A book that conveys how love can truly be a lifeline. I sat down with a prayer in my heart and asked for the ability to express that and the story took shape. This was actually the first children’s book I ever wrote and the first draft was done in about an hour and a half. When it felt done I shared it with my kids — they’re my first proofreaders — and they loved it.

Q: If your main character could send a message to readers before they dive in, what would they say?

Lesedi would tell the readers to love. To truly love their loved ones, through words and actions. She knows grief, she knows disappointment but above all, she’s also a child who knows the enduring power of love and sharing it.

Q: What’s one scene in your book you can’t wait for readers to experience and why?

The final words Lesedi’s grandmother says to her in the book are particularly significant to me. Firstly, she affirms Lesedi and encourages her to carry her (inner) light with her. I think that’s a constant reminder we need to give to the children around us — not to lose their spark and warmth despite the inevitable rainy days.

Second, her grandmother lets her know that her days have become that much brighter with Lesedi in them. I believe that children need to know that they’re as important to us as we are to them. This scene represents the sun coming out again; a restoration of the calm after the Storm.

Q: Which part of your culture or personal journey found its way into this book?

In many African cultures, naming something is an intentional, well-thought-out act. The names we bestow upon children bear the weight of our hopes for them. When writing, this is a tradition I carry with me in the creation of characters. Lesedi’s name means “Light” in Setswana and as she grows, she truly embodies that name in various ways, to herself and others.

Grandparents also play a significant role in child rearing in our society and so I wanted to include this close bond between Lesedi and her grandmother because that’s the reality of many children. It’s a blessing for one generation to nurture another.

Finally, Lesedi is a source of joy and comfort to her loved ones and that’s something I deeply relate to as a mother to young children. On some days, their whimsy, curiosity, and consistency, even their detachment from certain things that have worn me down, are the exact medicine I require to heal from situations and move on. Their existence proves to be a blessing in tangible and intangible ways.

Q: Can you describe your book in 3 words and then explain why you chose those words?

Comforting: Grief is a dense topic that can be difficult to truly delve into, for adults and kids. Lesedi’s Little Light explores this theme, but it also reassures the reader that there will come a calm after the storm, too.

Heartwarming: This book is the literary equivalent of hot Rooibos tea with a splash of milk and a warm scone (a very Southern African combo!). The warmth travels through your chest as you read it.

Lovely:  In the most literal sense of the word. Lesedi’s Little Light is a story steeped in love. There is love within the family, love from the community when the family is in need, and love in the face of change. It endures and the characters do too.

Listening to Bakang Akoonyatse's words, it's obvious that Lesedi’s Little Light is more than a children’s book. It’s a testament to how love becomes a lifeline, how names carry destiny, and how stories can hold us through grief into healing.

At Iskanchi Press, we believe in stories that nurture generations, stories that speak to children and adults alike, stories that carry light.

And now, the light of Lesedi is ready to find a home in your children’s hearts.

Preorder your copy today.

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