Yejide Kilanko facts for kids

Yejide Kilanko (born in 1975) is a talented Nigerian Canadian writer and social worker. She is well-known for writing stories that explore important issues faced by women. Her first novel, Daughters Who Walk This Path, became a bestseller in Canada in 2012.

Early Life and Education

Yejide Kilanko was born in 1975 in Ibadan, Nigeria. Her father was a university professor. She started writing poetry when she was very young. Later, she studied political science at the University of Ibadan.

Moving to Canada and Her Career

In 2000, Yejide Kilanko left Nigeria. She married an American and moved to Laurel, Maryland, in the United States. In 2004, she moved to Canada. She now lives in Chatham-Kent, Ontario.

In Canada, she continued her studies. She learned about social work at the University of Victoria and the University of Windsor. Today, she works as a therapist. She helps children with their mental health.

Her Writing Journey

Yejide Kilanko first focused on writing poetry. Later, she started writing fiction, which means made-up stories. She was inspired to write her first novel because of her work. As a mental health counselor, she heard many difficult stories from children. This experience encouraged her to write.

Her First Book: Daughters Who Walk This Path

Her first novel, Daughters Who Walk This Path, came out in 2012. It quickly became a national bestseller in Canada. The book was even listed as one of the 100 best books of 2012 by Globe and Mail. In 2014, another famous Nigerian author, Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie, suggested it as a great summer read.

This novel was also recognized in Nigeria. It was shortlisted for the Nigeria Prize for Literature in 2016. This is a very important award for writers in Nigeria.

Other Books by Yejide Kilanko

Her next work was a shorter novel called Chasing Butterflies. It was published in 2015. This book was a fundraiser for Worldreader, an organization that promotes reading. It also explores important challenges that women face in their homes.

In 2018, she wrote a children's book. It is called There Is an Elephant in My Wardrobe. This book helps children understand and deal with anxiety.

Her novel A Good Name was published in 2021. Before it was published, the manuscript was shortlisted for a Canadian literary prize. This book tells fictional stories about Nigerian nurses living in the United States.

Her Views on Writing

Yejide Kilanko identifies as a feminist. This means she believes in equal rights and opportunities for women. She says her writing naturally reflects these ideas. She is especially inspired by other women writers. These include African and African American authors like Buchi Emecheta, Chika Unigwe, Toni Morrison, and Alice Walker.

Selected Works

• Daughters Who Walk This Path (2012)
• Chasing Butterflies (2015)
• There Is an Elephant in My Wardrobe (2018)
• A Good Name (2021)