This series features the hilarious adventures of a Caribbean-Muslim family of five children, and their parents, who move from the Cayman Islands to live in Saudi Arabia. Plunged into a new culture, the kids have one amusing adventure after another and learn many lessons along the way.
Created with reluctant readers in mind, the series engages young readers with Lady Rabia’s trademark humor, comical scenes at local landmarks and simple comic-book style illustrations. The series is unique because though morally sound, appealing to parents and educators, it features real family interactions without being “overly religious” or “watered down”, which many children dislike. The moral of the story is cleverly twisted into funny, entertaining tales.
Book #1 - The New Kids in the Kingdom – When Mohammad, twelve, and Leah, ten, learn that they are moving half-way across the world to Saudi Arabia, they are very upset. They hate moving to strange countries. What if they hate the food? What if the kids are mean? But when their Dad tells them about this exotic country, they soon become excited about their trip. They are eager to meet other Muslim kids and see things that they only read about in books. But first they have to survive the long journey…with their terrible little twin brother and sister.
The Kaa Kaa & Tokyo Series
KAA KAA & TOKYO is the first family entertainment brand created in the Cayman Islands for children and adults alike, written and illustrated by Lady Rabia Abdul Hakim. The brand was designed to be highly “edu-taining” and will be applied to multiple platforms including: TV animation, books, games, merchandise and live event attractions.
The Kaa Kaa and Tokyo books launched in August 2011. Based in the 1930’s, the brand features wildly entertaining Caymanian stories using explosive humor, remarkable rhymes and authentic illustrations to enchant readers, young and old, back to a time of simple island life, while educating readers about “the isles that time forgot."
Children's Book Trailer
Poetry - Rising
Rising takes you on a powerful ride, exploring compelling social issues through verse, from the Caribbean slave trade to the Palestinian uprising. This powerful collection of poems catapults you into real-life encounters and gripping experiences with riveting detail, leaving you mesmerized and panting for more.
Testimonials
"What a joy to read the adventures of Kaa Kaa and Tokyo in Babysittin' 'Lil Kelly. This book is full of history, Cayman culture and babysitting challenges. Children will no doubt enjoy the antics of Kelly and notice the rhyming words as they listen to and read the story. For parents and educators alike it is a good way to start a conversation and share some personal and funny stories of their childhood. The illustrations are classic and dramatic and help to bring the story to life.Thank you Lady Rabia for sharing your gifts and talents with us! Your story helps us to make important connections to the past and I look forward to reading and all the stories in the series." - Laurel O. Fraser Executive Director Launch Pad Enrichment Center Former Chair, Early Years Task Force, Ministry of Education Cayman Islands
"I’m sort of embarrassed to say I’m reading kids books, but I am. I love Kaa Kaa & Tokyo and I’m so proud that the series is based on Caymanian culture. Keep it up!” – Ellen Lazzari, Cayman Brac
“Lady Rabia, I just wanted to let you know that my [elderly] mom is thoroughly enjoying her audio book. Please do let me know when others become available. How many books do you have out now in total? I would love to have a complete set.” – Karen Ryan, Grand Cayman
“I was just in Grand Cayman for the first time with my husband and 7 year old son. I found your books at the Botanical Gardens and purchased One Bad Day. My son read it while we were there and loved it. Today (Wednesday, Nov. 7th) I read it to his first grade class here in the San Francisco area and they LOVED it. They couldn't stop laughing and were chanting KAA KAA over and over again (much to the displeasure of their teacher, but to the delight of each other).” - Rina Neiman, San Francisco, USA
“I loved your Caymanian story! I heard it last Saturday morning on Radio Cayman and it was brilliant! I was on my way to the gym and I parked but would not budge from my vehicle as I wanted to hear how it would finish. I had to crack up! " - Merta (Meita) Day Sports Coordinator