"ISLAND SURPRISE: A BAHAMIAN ADVENTURE" OFF TO CAT ISLAND!

 

Young Amira Pratt proudly holds a copy of “Island Surprise: A Bahamian Adventure” before she jets off to Cat Island the next day with her cousins for weeks of summer fun. Asked if she enjoyed reading this beautifully illustrated children’s chapter book, she enthusiastically says “Yes!”

Amira is a Prefect in Grade 5 at Eva Hilton Primary School. She has just turned ten years old. Her grandmother Delray Pratt (who nicknamed her “Mimi”) bought “Island Surprise” for her as she saw how excited she was about the book. Amira’s parents are Ashley Pratt and Dexter Kerr.

“Island Surprise” is a heart-warming adventure story about family, courage and resilience. In “Island Surprise” two young Bahamian brothers face flight issues, a storm, and a hazardous journey on their way to surprise their grandparents on imaginary Coco Plum Island. Action packed, children will love and learn from this fun story.

Shortly after being released, “Island Surprise” was ranked in Amazon's Top 100 Best Sellers in Elementary School books in Australia!

“Island Surprise: A Bahamian Adventure” is available on Amazon at ISLAND SURPRISE in paperback, hardcover and as an eBook. Paperbacks can also be purchased at Logos Bookstore, Harbour Bay, Nassau.

FROM COCO PLUM LANE TO COCO PLUM ISLAND!

 

“From Coco Plum Lane to Coco Plum Island”! Hydie Knowles and her family once lived on Coco Plum Lane, Seabreeze Estates, Nassau, Bahamas! And in “Island Surprise: A Bahamian Adventure”, two young boys head to Coco Plum Island with their parents to surprise their grandparents for Easter!

Hydie is seen here with her copy of Island Surprise and me! She asked me to inscribe my children’s book to “The Knowles Family, who once resided on Coco Plum Lane”! I hope they are all enjoying my heart-warming adventure story about family, courage and resilience!

“Island Surprise: A Bahamian Adventure” is available on Amazon in paperback, hardcover and as an eBook. Shortly after its release, "Island Surprise: A Bahamian Adventure" was Ranked in Amazon's Top 100 Best Sellers in Elementary School books in Australia!

Hydie is a Sustainable Development Goals Officer working collaboratively to report and accelerate the country’s awareness and development towards the SDG’s. During her time in sustainability, she has acquired advanced open water diver and certified board professional project management certifications in addition to research and project consultancy experience. In her spare time, she enjoys going on adventures, spending time with loved ones, painting masterpieces, trying new foods, watching movies and reading books. The genesis of her passion for sustainable living began right at our Bahamian coral reefs, and the rest is history. Her bio says you don’t have to be a tree hugger to contribute to sustainable development initiatives. In fact, pilots, engineers, doctors, social workers, judges, architects all can play a role too.

Hydie Knowles is also a National Youth Parliamentarian as well as a Disabilities Advocate.

“Island Surprise: A Bahamian Adventure” is available on Amazon at ISLAND SURPRISE: A BAHAMIAN ADVENTURE

AMAZON AUTHOR BIO

 

Author’s Tip: This is my new Amazon Author bio, which is connected to all of my seven books on Amazon. Amazon recommends that authors do not use more than 1,000 characters for their bios. My bio was previously way over that amount, so I greatly reduced it! I think it makes it look neater, don’t you think?

Note: I added that I do not use AI for any of my writing, as there is so much of that going on now!

DONATE A BOOK TO YOUR FAVOURITE SCHOOL OR LIBRARY!

 

Here’s a great idea! Donate a copy of “Island Surprise: A Bahamian Adventure”, an illustrated heart-warming story about family and resilience, to your favourite school or library! I’m sure they would be delighted to receive your gift. “Island Surprise” is available in paperback and hardcover. Buy on Amazon or at Logos Harbour Bay, Nassau, and if you contact me, I would be delighted to autograph it for you!

BUY ISLAND SURPRISE HERE

NEW "ISLAND SURPRISE" BUSINESS CARDS ON ORDER!

 

                     New "Island Surprise" business cards on order!

THANKS A MILLION FOR THE BRILLIANT REVIEWS!

 

I’ve been absolutely thrilled by the wonderful feedback for my children’s book, “Island Surprise: A Bahamian Adventure!”

A huge thank you to everyone who has already taken the time to leave a review — it truly helps new readers discover the book.

If your child has just finished reading it, I’d be so grateful if you could share your thoughts or even a quick star rating on Amazon or Goodreads. Your support means the world!

“Island Surprise” is available on Amazon in paperback, hardcover, and eBook formats here:

ISLAND SURPRISE: A BAHAMIAN ADVENTURE

ASPIRING YOUNG AUTHOR FROM WALES U.K.

 

Six-year-old River from Wales, U.K., was so inspired by “Island Surprise: A Bahamian Adventure” by Fay Knowles that she decided to write a book herself! Here she is “dictating” to her father what to type.

Shortly after its release, "Island Surprise" was Ranked in Amazon's Top 100 Best Sellers in Elementary School books in Australia! It's a heart-warming adventure story about family, courage and resilience.

This beautifully illustrated chapter book is primarily suitable for ages 5 to 10, but it may also be enjoyed by younger or older readers who are captivated by imaginative stories. Two young Bahamian brothers face flight issues, a storm, and a hazardous journey on their way to surprise their grandparents on Coco Plum Island. Action packed, children will love and learn from this fun story.

AVAILABLE ON AMAZON IN PAPERBACK, HARDCOVER AND AS AN E-BOOK at https://mybook.to/ISLANDSURPRISE

 

"BROWN GIRL IN THE RING" - A POPULAR FAVOURITE IN THE BAHAMAS

 

"Brown Girl in The Ring" is a ring play song originating many years ago in Jamaica. Jamaican poet, folklorist, actress, writer and singer Louise Bennett-Coverley recorded “Brown Girl in The Ring” in 1957 on an album of Children’s Jamaican Songs and Games, which was re-released by Smithsonian Folkways in 2007 (Source: Zingzangwallawalla). Bahamian entertainer and singer Tony McKay ("Exuma The Obeah Man") from Cat Island, Bahamas, sang and recorded this song in 1972.

Acoustic cover by guitarist/vocalist/songwriter Erskine Knowles from The Bahamas. Background "chorus" by Erskine’s wife Fay. Erskine played and sang this song over many years at parties. Women and girls would form a ring and dance. Another woman would dance in the middle of the ring. Then they would take turns dancing in the middle.

NINE YEAR OLD STEVEN PIERRE A BRILLIANT READER!

 

Nine-year-old Steven C. Pierre, a student of Eva Hilton Primary School, Nassau, Bahamas, reads “Island Surprise: A Bahamian Adventure” to his family!

Shortly after its release, “Island Surprise: A Bahamian Adventure” by Fay Knowles was ranked in Amazon's Top 100 Best Sellers in Elementary School books in Australia. This beautifully illustrated children’s adventure story of family, simplicity and resilience is available on Amazon in paperback, hardcover and as an eBook at ISLAND SUPRISE

CHILDREN READING "ISLAND SURPRISE: A BAHAMIAN ADVENTURE" OVER AND OVER!

 

Ten-year-old Demi Bowe proudly holds her copy of “Island Surprise: A Bahamian Adventure” that her father Demetri Bowe bought for her. Demetri is a retired bank manager and Demi’s parents Demetri and Ruth D. Bowe own and operate a business called Bold Pineapple Beauty (Ruthdbowe@gmail.com).

Excited with her new book, Demi said she was going to read Island Surprise “over and over again”!

“Island Surprise: A Bahamian Adventure” is available on Amazon at https://mybook.to/ISLANDSURPRISE in paperback, hardcover and as an eBook.

Also, paperbacks can be purchased locally at Logos, Harbour Bay.

EASTER ON COCO PLUM ISLAND

 

It’s Easter-time and two young Bahamian boys Michael and Tony can’t wait to surprise their grandparents Pa Joe and Ma Tilly on remote Coco Plum Island with a visit, but their parents Pete and Helen have difficulties getting a flight for the family. Then a storm threatens to spoil all of their plans.

Beautifully brought to life with full colour illustrations, every scene vividly captures the story's essence and magic. Action packed and heart-warming, children will love and learn from this fun adventure story of family togetherness, simplicity and resilience.

“Island Surprise: A Bahamian Adventure” is available on Amazon in paperback, hardcover and as an e-Book at ISLAND SURPRISE: A BAHAMIAN ADVENTURE

THE LITTLE COTTAGE LIBRARY ON LONG ISLAND FEATURES "ISLAND SURPRISE"!

 

Pictured with a hardcover copy of “Island Surprise: A Bahamian Adventure” by yours truly: Eight-year-old Henry Forsyth, who was chosen at The Little Cottage Library of The Bahamas, Glinton’s, Long Island, Bahamas, to be the first to borrow this fun adventure story of family togetherness, simplicity and resilience from the library.

Susan L. Koster, who is co-founder of The Little Cottage Library along with Jodi Maley, said: “Henry was chosen to be the first to borrow Island Surprise as he is an avid reader and I knew he would enjoy it!” Susan is also Director of C.R.A.B. – “Caught Reading a Book” Book Club, which fosters a love of reading for primary school students.

Henry’s mother Lillian Forsyth said: “We surely enjoyed reading your book. It reminded me so much of my childhood. Henry and I read it together. Your book surely depicts life back in the 1980's on the islands. Thank you so much for writing such an amazing book!”

What a lovely compliment from Lillian! Island Surprise is actually set in the present day, but I intended to show children what it used to be like on a Bahamian Family Island and to explain to them that life can really be quite simple. Island Surprise also educates them about such island occupations as grinding corn and shelling peas!

“Island Surprise: A Bahamian Adventure” is available on Amazon in paperback, hardcover and as an e-Book at ISLAND SURPRISE: A BAHAMIAN ADVENTURE . Paperbacks are also available locally at Logos Bookstore, Harbour Bay, Nassau, Bahamas.

HARDCOVER COPIES OF "ISLAND SURPRISE: A BAHAMIAN ADVENTURE" ARRIVE IN NASSAU!

 

ALL THREE EDITIONS of my children’s book, *ISLAND SURPRISE: A BAHAMIAN ADVENTURE*, are available on Amazon! 

Whether you love the hardback, paperback, or eBook version, there’s something for everyone! You can order paperbacks of "Island Surprise: A Bahamian Adventure" on Amazon at https://mybook.to/ISLANDSURPRISE or purchase one locally at Logos Bookstore, Harbour Bay, Nassau, Bahamas. To order a hardcover go to https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0G3T15VXK

Here’s me opening a box of hardcover editions of “Island Surprise: A Bahamian Adventure” when they had just arrived in Nassau! CLICK HERE for the video.

Discover my published works at https://www.amazon.com/stores/Fay-Knowles/author/B019CUBMDW

REID BETWEEN THE LINES!

 

Erskine and I were honoured to be invited by Julian Reid of Jones Communications to be interviewed by him for his TV show "Reid Between The Lines"! Our interview was pre-recorded at the JCN studios last Tuesday and was aired at 7 p.m. on JCN Channel 214 Monday, February 16th! 

Here are the Youtube links to Seg 1 and Seg 2 of our JCN Interview:

Seg. 1 - Youtube 1

Seg. 2 - Youtube 2 

 

A RED CARNATION FOR VALENTINE'S DAY!

 

VALENTINE’S DAY 1966! Erskine and I had become unofficially engaged at Christmas, so I had a red Carnation delivered to his work place Colonial Insurance on Elizabeth Avenue, for him to wear all day as he went around his clients on his scooter!

BOOKS, BOOKS AND MORE BOOKS!

 

📚📚📚 Books, books and more lovely books! I've received another shipment of paperback copies of "ISLAND SURPRISE: A BAHAMIAN ADVENTURE" 🌴📖 and some hardcovers are also on the way!

Get your copy of "Island Surprise: A Bahamian Adventure" by Fay Knowles on Amazon at ISLAND SURPRISE ON AMAZON  or locally at Logos Bookstore, Harbour Bay, Nassau. 🏝️✨

 

ISLAND SURPRISE BOOK TRAILER VIDEO ON AMAZON

 

The cover of "Island Surprise: A Bahamian Adventure"

Check this out! Scroll down to the bottom of my Amazon page for "Island Surprise: A Bahamian Adventure" paperbacks and, as well as 4 lovely 5-star reviews, you'll see my Customer book trailer video about Island Surprise. Just click on it to view. The video is at the bottom of the Amazon page for my hardcover books for "Island Surprise: A Bahamian Adventure" as well. I will try adding it to the Amazon page for my Island Surprise eBooks too.
CLICK HERE

ISLAND SURPRISE TOP AMAZON RANKING!

 

Shortly after being released, “Island Surprise: A Bahamian Adventure” was ranked in Amazon's Top 100 Best Sellers in Elementary School books in Australia!

“Island Surprise: A Bahamian Adventure” is available on Amazon in paperback, hardcover and as an eBook.

Order your copy of “Island Surprise” on Amazon at ISLAND SURPRISE

 

STARBUCKS CABLE BEACH MANAGER WITH ISLAND SURPRISE

 

Starbucks Cable Beach manager Barron Dean with his copy of “Island Surprise: A Bahamian Adventure”. Author Fay Knowles to right of photo.

“A surprise trip…A wild journey…An unforgettable adventure. When two young Bahamian boys set off with their parents to surprise their grandparents for Easter, they expect sunshine and smiles—not storms, detours, and daring twists along the way. From rough flights to risky island travel, “Island Surprise: A Bahamian Adventure” is a heart-warming tale of family, courage, and resilience that shows how love can guide you through even the toughest journeys. Beautifully illustrated in full colour, this action-packed story for ages 5 - 10 celebrates togetherness, island life, and the magic of never giving up. Perfect for bedtime reading, classroom sharing, or gifting to young adventurers who love stories filled with heart.” 

Available in Logos Bookstore, Harbour Bay, Nassau, Bahamas, or on Amazon at https://mybook.to/ISLANDSURPRISE

Russian Folktale "The Very Large Turnip"!

 

This photo was taken when I was eleven years old, attending a ballet school in Buckingham. I’m third from right. It's "The Very Large Turnip" that I appeared in. I read that “The Very Large Turnip” (or "The Enormous Turnip") is a traditional Russian folktale about a farmer who grows a gigantic turnip that is too big to pull up alone. Through teamwork and perseverance, he calls on his wife, granddaughter, dog, cat, and finally a tiny mouse to help, eventually succeeding together. This was also around the time I wrote my first children’s book. I scribbled it in an old ledger that my father gave me from his shop. I used to carry the book everywhere, up trees, on a bank of soft primroses by a little stream, in school recesses…. Sadly, the book, which I completed writing in a year, was later lost somewhere in my travels. I do still have part of it though, which I plan on resurrecting and publishing one day.

ISLAND SURPRISE NOW IN LOGOS BOOKSTORE NASSAU BAHAMAS

"Island Surprise: A Bahamian Adventure" - Now available in Logos Bookstore, Nassau BAHAMAS 

LOWER DEADMAN'S CAY PRIMARY SCHOOL STUDENTS FASCINATED BY ISLAND SURPRISE!

 

Mrs. Paula Higgs-Knowles’ Fourth Grade students at Lower Deadman’s Cay Primary School, Long Island, Bahamas, are fascinated as she introduces them to “Island Surprise: A Bahamian Adventure” by Fay Knowles!

Get your copy of "Island Surprise: A Bahamian Adventure" on Amazon at ISLAND SURPRISE
Fay's book is available in paperback, hardcover and as an eBook. Also available locally at Logos Bookstore, Harbour Bay, Nassau, Bahamas.

"ISLAND SURPRISE" INTRODUCED TO LONG ISLAND STUDENTS

Mrs. Paula Higgs-Knowles, 4th Grade Teacher at Lower Deadman's Cay Primary School, Long Island, Bahamas, introduces "Island Surprise: A Bahamian Adventure" by Fay Knowles to her young students. 

Get your copy of "Island Surprise: A Bahamian Adventure" by Fay Knowles on Amazon at ISLAND SURPRISE

Locally, Island Surprise is now available at Logos Bookstore, Harbour Bay, Nassau, Bahamas.

Fay's book is available in paperback, hardcover and as an eBook. Author Fay Knowles is a long-time resident of The Bahamas and originally from Scotland. All of Fay's books can be found at SHOP AMAZON

EXCITING BOOK TRAILER FOR ISLAND SURPRISE!

Check out this great book trailer for "Island Surprise: A Bahamian Adventure", a children's book by me Fay Knowles! The background music "Brown Girl In The Ring" is a very old children's ring play song played here as an instrumental by my husband Bahamian songwriter/guitarist/vocalist Erskine Knowles. Let me know what you think of the video! Thanks!

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A UK GRANDFATHER'S THOUGHTS ABOUT ISLAND SURPRISE

 

Gosh! 🌟 This new review from “Andy”, a UK grandpa, about "Island Surprise: A Bahamian Adventure" really says it all! 👴

“I have read this delightful book 📚 myself, before passing it to my grandchildren. The book has a clear print, easy to read, and the charming illustrations 🎨 appear throughout. I sat down to read part of the story, and couldn’t put it down. Fay cleverly describes the beauty of the island 🌴, as well as explaining the older traditions and meaning of local words. The characters are all well presented, endearing ❤️, overcoming problems, friendly 😊, and helpful. A most enjoyable read. Thank you, Fay!”

Thank you so much to this UK grandpa! 🙏

Get your copy of “Island Surprise: A Bahamian Adventure” and delight the young children in your life! 🎉✨ ORDER ISLAND SURPRISE HERE!

 

ISLAND SURPRISE MOVING ON UP!

 

“🌴 Island Surprise: A Bahamian Adventure” is creeping towards top 100 status on Amazon .com! 📈 It’s #510 in Early Childhood Education on Amazon .com! 📚🌊✨

Readers from Amazon .com can be from any regions where customers use that platform to buy from, including The Bahamas.

And there has been another lovely review of “Island Surprise”! 🥰 This time from Spain on Amazon .com: “Super book for adults and kids to read together! Lovely story and beautiful illustrations to go with it.” Muchas gracias! 🙏

For fellow authors – let’s hope this review on Amazon .com from Spain means that Amazon is now spreading reviews across all platforms. My UK reviews haven’t appeared on Amazon .com yet though.

Help “Island Surprise: A Bahamian Adventure” reach top 100 status (or even further!) 🎯 over all Amazon platforms by going to https://mybook.to/ISLANDSURPRISE 🌊📖  and buying a copy! And share with your family and friends! Thank you!

AMAZON UK 5-STAR REVIEWS

 

The imaginary Coco Plum Island where the two young boys in

"Island Surprise: A Bahamian Adventure" are taken

by their parents to try and surprise their grandparents for Easter!

Wow! 🌟🌟 Two lovely 5-star reviews on Amazon UK for my children's chapter book “Island Surprise: A Bahamian Adventure”! 🏝️📚

“I ordered this book and it came within 24 hours. ⏰ It is a warm-hearted story in a tropical setting with delightful illustrations. 🌺🎨 Very suitable for a young nephew.”

“My 6 year old daughter loved this book. ❤️ A great, engaging story for a young child and fantastic illustrations.” 👧✨📖

Thank you my lovely reviewers! 💖🙏

It's such a shame that Amazon doesn't share reviews over all of our books' platforms now. 😔💔 They used to! 🕰️🗣️

Universal link for “Island Surprise: A Bahamian Adventure” – UNIVERSAL LINK

ISLAND SURPRISE ARRIVED!

Get your copy of "Island Surprise: A Bahamian Adventure" by Fay Knowles on Amazon at ISLAND SURPRISE Or if you're in Nassau you can buy paperbacks direct from me at $14 each while supplies last.

Author Fay Knowles is a long-time resident of The Bahamas and originally from Scotland. She is married to Bahamian songwriter/guitarist/vocalist Erskine Knowles.

Fay's books can be found at https://amazon.com/author/fayknowles . Her first illustrated children's book set in The Bahamas "Island Surprise: A Bahamian Adventure" is available in paperback, hardcover and as an eBook at https://mybook.to/ISLANDSURPRISE

"ISLAND SURPRISE" BY FAY KNOWLES

Adorable little six-year-old Sahana Fraser can hardly wait to receive the copy of "Island Surprise: A Bahamian Adventure" by Fay Knowles that her aunt is bringing her! 🎉💖

Get your copy on Amazon at ISLAND SURPRISE

Author Fay Knowles is a long-time resident of The Bahamas and originally from Scotland. Fay's books can be found at FAY'S BOOKS. 

Her first illustrated children's book set in The Bahamas, "Island Surprise: A Bahamian Adventure" is now available in paperback, hardcover and as an eBook at ISLAND SURPRISE

"AULD LANG SYNE" - SUNG BY FAY & ERSKINE KNOWLES

From a Scots-language poem written by Robert Burns, known as the National Poet of Scotland, in 1788, but based on an older Scottish folk song. In 1799 it was set to a traditional pentatonic tune, which has since become standard. "For auld lang syne" might be loosely translated as "for the sake of old times".

Acoustic cover by guitarist/vocalist/songwriter Erskine Knowles from The Bahamas and his wife Fay, an author, long-time resident of The Bahamas and originally from Scotland. Fay's books can be found at FAY'S AMAZON AUTHOR PAGE. Her first illustrated children's book set in The Bahamas, "Island Surprise: A Bahamian Adventure" is now available in paperback, hardcover and as an eBook at ISLAND SURPRISE: A BAHAMIAN ADVENTURE

Nassau Bahamas December 31, 2025

#happynewyear
#Newyearseve
#bringinginthenewyear
#newyearinTheBahamas
#auldlangsyne