Imagination takes flight for Paris youth author

Casandra Turnbull

Managing Editor

At just seven years old, Paris resident Ayodeji Olajide is already making his mark in children’s literature. Inspired by his parents and driven by his own imagination, Ayodeji has published two books before even starting Grade 2, with a third and fourth already underway.

His debut, Ayodeji’s Amazing Adventures, released in February 2025, is a vibrant collection of stories that carry young readers through jungles, space, and neighbourhood heroics. His second, The Cheerful Paintbrush Family, launched August 25, 2025, tells the story of a colourful family with secret superpowers who spread kindness and joy.

Ayodeji’s journey into storytelling began unexpectedly. His mother, Atinuke, recalls: “As a non-fiction author, I never imagined that my writing would inspire my six-year-old son, Ayodeji. Watching me write and publish three books in 2024 sparked something remarkable in him. For months, he persistently asked to write his own storybook … On January 3rd, 2025, I gave him his very first journal with a simple instruction: ‘Whenever a story comes to your mind, write it in this book.’”

Ayodeji took that advice to heart. For six weeks, he filled his journal with lines and passages that, with encouragement and editing from his parents, transformed into his first published book.

Ayodeji’s mother, Atinuke, and father Olumide say his creativity was clear from an early age.

“Ayodeji’s bright imagination showed up very early. Role play was one of his first loves … He was also a natural storyteller from as early as 3, especially during shower time, when he would retell cartoons he had watched but with his own funny twists that always made us laugh.”

They added that reading came easily to him, often surprising friends and community members by sounding out words on billboards or walls. “His creativity seemed endless,” they recalled. “Even watching me work sparked his curiosity; before long, he was exploring design apps himself, eager to bring his own ideas to life.”

Though Ayodeji attends a private school in Brantford, his work has already reached far beyond the classroom. The family has donated copies of his debut to the Brantford Public Library, Ottawa Public Library, Charlottetown Public Library in PEI, Alliance Française Library in Lagos, the Kenya National Library, and the Kitchener Public Library. They are awaiting responses from several more local systems.

“We’d also love for Ayodeji to share his book through read-alouds at book clubs, libraries, schools, and literary events,” said Atinuke and Olumide. “This summer, he had the joy of reading to children at Bookopedia, the kids’ book club of the Nigerians in the Waterloo region community.”

While Ayodeji doesn’t plan to create a long-running series, his creativity shows no sign of slowing. His second book will have an official community launch this fall, and the family hopes to secure a traditional publishing partner for his third manuscript next year. A fourth is already in the works.

For now, the Olajides are focused on nurturing both their son’s imagination and the community impact of his stories.

“We are currently self-publishing Ayodeji’s stories, which has allowed us to bring his imagination to life quickly and share it with children in our community,” they shared in an interview with the Paris Independent. “That said, we are very open to partnering with book agents or traditional publishers who can help us reach a wider audience.”

Beyond his personal achievements, Ayodeji represents something bigger for the Paris community and beyond: the importance of literacy, diversity, and creativity. “I want every kid to read my book,” Ayodeji says proudly.

His journey serves as a reminder of how imagination—when nurtured at home—can inspire not only one child, but entire communities.