NEWS RELEASE
ANGELA ODUSANYA
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Barrie local educator Angela Odusanya is inspiring creativity through her debut children’s book, Amelia’s Loose Part Art.
She wrapped up a successful Kickstarter campaign for Amelia’s Loose Part Art in July, raising $10,297 in pre-orders and support towards her mission.
Saturday, Nov. 18, 2023, is the official book launch party to celebrate her accomplishments with the book thus far. Attendees will be able to purchase paperback and hardcover copies of the book and have them autographed. Photo opportunities with Angela Odusanya and a life-sized cutout of Amelia will also be available.
A loose part art station for 20 people at a time is sure to be filled with children and adults who want to experience loose part art first-hand. They will transform simple everyday objects such as rocks, pinecones, buttons, and sticks into whatever their heart desires. This event is sure to be a fun community event that brings people together.
Amelia’s Loose Part Art follows Amelia, a budding artist who discovers the magic of creating extraordinary artwork using everyday objects when her traditional art supplies are unavailable. With a mission to inspire creativity and resourcefulness, Odusanya’s book taps into the popular trend of loose parts in early childhood education, encouraging children to explore their imagination and engage in open-ended play.
Amelia likes to take pictures of things she finds interesting, and then she uses the images as inspiration for her paintings. She saves all her creations in her scrapbook. However, when she goes to her grandma’s farm for a sleepover, she forgets her art box at home. She is unsure how she will paint the pictures she took on her way there.
That is until she discovers that art supplies are everywhere. Then she has a new problem to solve — putting her new creations in her scrapbook. Not only does she learn about new ways to create art, but she also discovers that art is inside her and that she doesn’t need to be limited to creating art from her photos.
Angela Odusanya’s mission is to ensure that children have ample opportunities for unstructured play in today’s overly structured world. She believes that by inspiring children to be more creative, their problem-solving skills, innovation, and resourcefulness is nurtured from an early age.
Children need to be inspired to be creative again. Over the last decade more children have been presenting with difficulty in knowing what to do when left to play without clear instructions. This is because so many children face a lack of open-ended play experiences. Instead, they are surrounded by structured activities, screens, and toys with predetermined outcomes. While these have their place, it’s crucial to provide children with the space, time, and resources to explore their own imaginations and become confident, creative thinkers and problem solvers.
That’s where loose parts come in.
Loose parts are basically anything made available to children to use in their own creative ways such as rocks, sticks, buttons, and scrap fabric pieces. The only limit to loose parts play is a child’s imagination. And since the imagination of children who engage in too much structured play is limited, Odusanya made sure that her book showcased ways to expand their imagination by looking at the world through Amelia’s eyes.
Loose part art helps children develop academic concepts such as patterning, symmetry, spatial awareness, and geometry. It promotes the learning skills that children need to be successful including planning, problem solving and assessing their own work.
Even children who are not fans of drawing and painting often enjoy this art form because it is low risk. If they make a mistake, they can simply remove the object and try something else. This means that all children can find their inner creativity.
The book launch event promises a delightful experience for families. Attendees will have the opportunity to purchase autographed copies of Amelia’s Loose Part Art, creating a cherished keepsake for their young readers. The festivities will feature photo opportunities with Odusanya and a life-sized Amelia cutout. Attendees from three to 103 years of age can engage in the exciting loose part art activity that will be available, inviting each individual to bring their own artistic visions to life.
The highlight of the event is a special read-aloud session by Angela Odusanya herself, scheduled for 12:30 p.m. Children and families can gather around to listen to the captivating story of Amelia and her artistic journey. This heartwarming reading promises to spark conversations about creativity, self-expression, and the limitless potential of loose part art.
Amelia's Loose Part Art holds a special place in Angela’s heart, as it embodies her commitment to fostering a love for learning, creativity, and self-discovery among children. This event presents a unique opportunity for the community to come together and celebrate the magic of childhood imagination.
Event details
- Date: Saturday, Nov. 18, 2023
- Time: 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.
- Location: Williams Fresh Cafe, 501 Bryne Dr., Barrie
- Book reading: 12:30 p.m.
Join Angela Odusanya in celebrating the launch of Amelia’s Loose Part Art — a book that promises to spark creativity, imagination, and lasting memories for families across Barrie.
Paperback and hardcover versions of the book will be available for purchase during the event as well as themed stickers. The book is expected to be available on Nov. 21 on Amazon, at Indigo Barrie, and on Odusanya’s website with new locations also in the works. While RSVPs are not required to attend the event, the community is encouraged to RSVP as they are helpful for planning purposes: ameliasbooks.rsvpify.com.
Angela Odusanya has worked as a designated early childhood educator for the Simcoe Muskoka Catholic District School Board for 10 years. She is currently pursuing her master of teaching degree from OISE, University of Toronto, which she will complete in April 2024. Amelia’s Loose Part Art is her debut picture book and was inspired by her over 20-year career working with young children in a variety of educational settings. For more information, please visit www.angelaodusanya.com.
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