A new illustration book, ‘From Humble Beginnings’, aims to teach children the value of saving and budgeting.
‘From Humble Beginnings’ is a children’s book, written by staff of CICSA Co-operative Credit Union and illustrated by a local artist, Michael ‘M-Lito’ Mothen. The book tells the story of how the credit union came to be, while highlighting local landmarks and Caymanian history along the way.
“We decided to write this story as we journey on our Road to 50, celebrating 50 years of serving our members and community,” said NorDania Stewart, marketing and communications manager for the credit union.
“Financial literacy, particularly youth financial literacy, is of extremely high importance to us, so we wanted to find a unique and engaging way to introduce this to young readers. We thought it would also be great for young Caymanians to see themselves represented in literature.”
In this first book from the credit union, written by a team of staff members, the story takes place through the eyes of 8-year-old Josh and his grandmother. After she collects him from school one day, they journey around George Town, running errands and eventually stopping by the CICSA Co-operative Credit Union.
The staff writing team, known as the CU Story Studio, met periodically and shared ideas for the characters and story line, as well as reviewing drafts of the text together.
Illustrating financial education
Mothen, the illustrator, said it was an exciting opportunity to collaborate on a project like this.
“I illustrated the entire book, from designing the characters, imagining the environment they move through, and figuring out how each scene should visually unfold. I paid attention to what was happening in the dialogue so I could reflect those emotions and moments between the grandmother and her grandson, both in their expressions and in how they interacted with the world around them.”
Mothen said he appreciated the creative freedom and loved being able to tell a full story through still images.
“I usually work in animation, where movement is everything, so when I illustrate, I get to slow down and focus on composition, emotion and atmosphere. It’s a different kind of storytelling, more subtle, but just as powerful,” he said.
He hopes readers, especially kids, feel they’re following a Caymanian family on a learning journey.
“I wanted the scenes to feel familiar, with recognisable places, objects and culture that reflect our community. My hope is that the children not only enjoy the story but also feel seen in the illustrations and excited to learn about the credit union and its history,” he said.
To celebrate the launch, the credit union has been on a book tour around public primary schools across the Cayman Islands.
So far, the books have been read to Year 4 students at Red Bay Primary and Sir John A. Cumber Primary, as well as Creek and Spot Bay Primary and West End Primary in Cayman Brac. Books were also read to Just For Kids Pre School students in a reading nook sponsored by the credit union.
Donations are expected to be made at other primary schools as well. While the book is currently not for sale, Stewart, the marketing and communications manager, hopes that young readers take away a sense of pride in Cayman’s community-minded culture and are inspired to practice smart money habits early.
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