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The Mouth Of Babes - Tosin Coker
The Mouth Of Babes
Tosin Coker
ISBN: 9780955748301
N9neformation
Reviewed By Chelsea Perry
Official Apex Reviews Rating: 
Destiny "Teeny" Kingsley is a healthy, happy, vibrant ten year-old - so it comes as a complete shock to her parents and everyone else when she suddenly falls into a deep coma. Furthermore, when all medical testing ultimately reveals no physical cause for her condition, it only adds to the fear and anxiety besieging the hearts and minds of everyone involved.
Little does anyone know, though, Teeny's loss of consciousness is far from a random act or unforeseen coincidence; as a matter of fact, it was actually pre-arranged by her grandmother as a means to communicate with her on an alternate plane of existence. Over the course of their extended "visit," Teeny subsequently learns eye-opening celestial truths that shatter her sense of reality and transform her view of the universe - as well as everything in it. And, when she learns of the all-important "mission" to which she's been assigned, she quickly realizes that neither she nor those she loves the most will ever be the same...
The Mouth Of Babes is an imaginative, highly enlightening read. Equally well crafted and presented, author Tosin Coker's mind-stretching tale is a welcome treat to the higher senses. Without coming off as condescending or pedantic, Coker does an excellent job of challenging the reader to think outside the normal lines to which we've all become accustomed, in the process embedding within our psyches the nascent seeds of wonder and curiosity, which continue to blossom and grow long after the final page has been turned.
A pleasantly intriguing tome, The Mouth Of Babes is a strong debut from a promising new literary voice. Highly recommended.
Click Here To Learn More About The Mouth Of Babes
Official Apex Reviews Interview: Tosin Coker (The Mouth Of Babes)
Apex Reviews: Thanks for joining us for this interview, Tosin. We're looking forward to learning more about your book.
Tosin Coker: Thank you for the opportunity.
AR: The Mouth Of Babes is an imaginative tale - to say the least. How did you conceive it and ultimately put all the various elements of it together?
TC: I used to write a blog where most of the content was my thoughts and observations. It was merely a form of release for me, but readers began to subscribe and would comment on how they loved my rawness and how I should write a book. I've always had people tell me I should, but I simply couldn't fathom it. How a person starts at page one and ends up on page infinity completely eluded me. The idea of my doing so was ludicrous. Then conception came via the motivation of a close friend of mine. She sent me an sms message one day, challenging me to write a 2000 word, feel good, short story that included mayonnaiase, a photograph, a waterfall and my favourite animal - a black panther. She gave me a week to do so and I mentally guffawed at how easy it would be. For the first 4 or 5 days I wrote nothing, I spent them dreaming up how I could best utilise the obligatory elements she had imposed. By day seven, she sent me another sms saying that my time was up, she expected me to submit my story to her by email immediately. I texted her back with an apology for having failed. The short story was now 6 chapters long, it seemed to have a mind its own and had a desire to become a book. Turns out writing a short story was, for me, way harder than writing a novel book length one.
I've heard it said that one's first book is often semi-autobiographical, and friends have told me how much of myself they see in it, so I guess it could be said that the various elements are tidbits of myself as well as my random musings and observations of life.
AR: What's the significance of Teeny's admonition from her grandmother: "Don't forget to BE"?
TC: I think life has a way of molding you to become the person you swore as a child you'd never become. I swore I'd never smoke, I swore I'd never have my wisdom teeth pulled, that I'd never work in an office, that I'd live in a huge house, be married to the man of my dreams and never ever moan about bills. I'm an adult now and yes I do moan about the bills and not that I have a big house, but it sure feels like it when it comes to tidying up!
Between childhood and now, I've come to find that while my more fantastic musings about adulthood were naive, in order to find happiness, I've had to remember my authenic self and all her dreams. I look back sometimes and think, if only I had just been brave enough to just be me. I really was, okay as is. Not only that, I was a lot more clued up than I gave myself credit for - smoking really wasn't cool. Life is way too short to be anyone else, but oneself. For that reason, Chapter 13, Nana's Regrets, is by far my favourite.
AR: Please explain for our readers precisely what "Indigo" and "Crystal" children are.
TC: Indigo children are called so because their auras tend to predominantly radiate that colour, or so I've heard. Amongst New Agers, it is said that the human race is evolving to a new level of consciousness and Indigo children are the first apparent manifestations of this evolution. They are often very empathic and show signs of heightened awaremess including clairvoyance, psychometry (to be able to read objects to the point of having insight to the last person who touched it) and even telepathy. Media depictions of people endowed with such gifts make it hard to for them to be taken seriously or even for them to believe their gifts themselves, and yet it is becoming more commonly accepted that actually, maybe this phenomenon is more than just fiction.
Crystal children are like concentrated versions of Indigoes. In fact they are the children of the Indigo generation, thus their awareness/abilities are more fine tuned.
AR: The tale certainly contains strong spiritual undertones. What made them such an essential element for you to include in the story?
TC: I think that came naturally because I am quite spiritual. I find it tedious when I have to fill in some form that asks my religion and I simply don't fit in any of the boxes. There have been times where I'm having such a form filled for me and the person says "Uh okay I'll just tick you as Christian." It used to bother me, but I realise that the word 'spiritual' is so vast that it loses people, and yet it is what bonds all of us no matter what religion we ascribe to. It was essential to the story because it is a bond, a place prejudices aside, we all pretty much have the same hopes and fears that can be worked through in a very elemental manner. Life is simple, humans make it complicated.
Funnily enough, the biggest praise I've ever gotten for my book was from my sister, a Christian who said, "This book has become my second Bible!"
AR: What's the main message that you'd like readers to take away from the book?
TC: I think "Don't forget to BE" pretty much sums it up. You were born beautiful. If wherever you are now casts doubt, remember to keep it simple. Get back to basics, remember to be the person you have always been, but are sometimes afraid to.
AR: The Mouth Of Babes is actually the first installment of a trilogy of similar tales. What, if anything, can you tell us about the remaining books in the series?
TC: Well, I'm about half way through writing the second book and I've already written the end to the third. In the second book, Teeny grows up in more ways than one. She has come back from her coma remembering more than expected and encounters others like herself, including Imhotep, one of the beings she met in the alternate plane of existence. She has the remainder of her mission to fulfill, but she is no longer just an average child. If her parents were worried while she was in a coma, they are practically losing their minds as she goes through puberty. She constantly shocks them as they embark on a crash course in how to raise supreme being in a child's body, whose intellect and abilities far surpasses theirs combined.
AR: What writers have had the greatest influence over you in terms of developing your own personal writing style?
TC: I am a devout fan of Dan Brown, Marianne Du Pierres, and Stephen Donaldson's 'Gap' series. However, my writing style is based mostly on how I actually speak, which translates well on paper, but often annoys the heck out of my family who often say; "Please, not the story version, summarise and spit it out!"
Since having written The Mouth of Babes, I had been recommended books by online friends who believed I got my ideas from authors such as Philip Pullman and Octavia Butler. When I read the 'His Dark Materials' trilogy and 'The Patternists' series, my eyes almost popped out of my head for the similaries in certain concepts. I completely get why my friend didn't believe me when before her mention of him, I'd never heard of Philip Pullman. I came close to ditching my book altogether when I saw the big cats that altered their forms to become another specie, which is, amongst other reasons, why though my book was published in 2007 I didn't actually print and release the book till May this year.
AR: Please share more with us about your publisher, N9neformation.
TC: N9neformation is actually my own publishing company that I set up solely for the purpose of releasing The Mouth of Babes trilogy. I got caught up in the enthusiasm of friends who encouraged me to get published, but not enough to be deluded into believing say, Simon & Schuster, would throw a dream deal in my lap. Only once I had gone through the whole proceedure did I sit back and wonder what the hell I was thinking. Fear kicked in something terrible and I decided I couldn't go through with it. I convinced myself that the personal sense of achievement was enough. Everyone else, even my children, believed in me before I was brave enough to believe in myself. At one point I was even called selfish for not going wanting through with it.
I have since become very empowered and want to be as strong for others as my friends and family were for me. Pay it forward so to speak. I can now say becoming a publisher has been one of the best gifts I have given myself and hope to share with others from a perspective of knowing that fear, having learnt to overcome it and as a result, BEing my authentic self.
AR: What are your future writing/publishing aspirations?
TC: Writing wise, I'm toying with a couple of ideas. As well as writing the remainder of the trilogy, I am writing short stories about one of the key characters: Zaub-ah, so my hands are pretty full for the next couple of years at least. I've actually had dialogue with a film director who read my book and envisioned making a film adaptation of it. Needless to say I'm well motivated to finish the trilogy asap!
As a publisher I am focused on helping other first time authors conquer their fears (though thus far I remain the biggest coward I've come across!) and making their dream of getting published a reality, whilst allowing them to have as little or as much control as they would like. Overnight I've become an adviser of sorts, and often have writers and even music artists and website owners approaching me for support on how to promote themselves in a cost effective manner, or simply if I can give honest criticism on their manuscripts. I'm now being approached to become a speaker at events, which is all wonderful as I am meeting so many amazing people. However, what I'm realising is that as a publisher, though your success may be counted from how many books you have released, that is far from being all you do.
I guess I would say my greatest aspiration is to stay excited and yet sincere in what I do. Lead by genuine example, which includes not beating myself up about the 101 typos that only seemed to become visible AFTER publication :) Sometimes you get it wrong, but it gives an excellent to build up and improve upon.
AR: How can our readers learn more about you and your ongoing efforts?
TC: Ooh so many ways, take your pick!
My publisher site: www.n9neformation.com
My book site: www.n9necouncil.com and the forum: http://n9necouncil.com/forum/index.php
On Lulu - http://Lulu.com/n9neformation
and Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Tosin-Coker/125068211219
AR: How can they contact you directly?
TC: Again, many ways: Email - n9neformation@gmail.com
Twitter - http://twitter.com/n9neformation
Myspace - myspace.com/n9neformation
AR: Any final thoughts you'd like to share?
TC: Just a huge congratulatory thanks to all, who despite the odds, keep striving to BE.
AR: Thanks again, Tosin, and best of continued success to you in all your endeavors!
TC: Thank you!
Apex Reviews: Thanks for joining us for this interview, Tosin. We're looking forward to learning more about your book.
Tosin Coker: Thank you for the opportunity.
AR: The Mouth Of Babes is an imaginative tale - to say the least. How did you conceive it and ultimately put all the various elements of it together?
TC: I used to write a blog where most of the content was my thoughts and observations. It was merely a form of release for me, but readers began to subscribe and would comment on how they loved my rawness and how I should write a book. I've always had people tell me I should, but I simply couldn't fathom it. How a person starts at page one and ends up on page infinity completely eluded me. The idea of my doing so was ludicrous. Then conception came via the motivation of a close friend of mine. She sent me an sms message one day, challenging me to write a 2000 word, feel good, short story that included mayonnaiase, a photograph, a waterfall and my favourite animal - a black panther. She gave me a week to do so and I mentally guffawed at how easy it would be. For the first 4 or 5 days I wrote nothing, I spent them dreaming up how I could best utilise the obligatory elements she had imposed. By day seven, she sent me another sms saying that my time was up, she expected me to submit my story to her by email immediately. I texted her back with an apology for having failed. The short story was now 6 chapters long, it seemed to have a mind its own and had a desire to become a book. Turns out writing a short story was, for me, way harder than writing a novel book length one.
I've heard it said that one's first book is often semi-autobiographical, and friends have told me how much of myself they see in it, so I guess it could be said that the various elements are tidbits of myself as well as my random musings and observations of life.
AR: What's the significance of Teeny's admonition from her grandmother: "Don't forget to BE"?
TC: I think life has a way of molding you to become the person you swore as a child you'd never become. I swore I'd never smoke, I swore I'd never have my wisdom teeth pulled, that I'd never work in an office, that I'd live in a huge house, be married to the man of my dreams and never ever moan about bills. I'm an adult now and yes I do moan about the bills and not that I have a big house, but it sure feels like it when it comes to tidying up!
Between childhood and now, I've come to find that while my more fantastic musings about adulthood were naive, in order to find happiness, I've had to remember my authenic self and all her dreams. I look back sometimes and think, if only I had just been brave enough to just be me. I really was, okay as is. Not only that, I was a lot more clued up than I gave myself credit for - smoking really wasn't cool. Life is way too short to be anyone else, but oneself. For that reason, Chapter 13, Nana's Regrets, is by far my favourite.
AR: Please explain for our readers precisely what "Indigo" and "Crystal" children are.
TC: Indigo children are called so because their auras tend to predominantly radiate that colour, or so I've heard. Amongst New Agers, it is said that the human race is evolving to a new level of consciousness and Indigo children are the first apparent manifestations of this evolution. They are often very empathic and show signs of heightened awaremess including clairvoyance, psychometry (to be able to read objects to the point of having insight to the last person who touched it) and even telepathy. Media depictions of people endowed with such gifts make it hard to for them to be taken seriously or even for them to believe their gifts themselves, and yet it is becoming more commonly accepted that actually, maybe this phenomenon is more than just fiction.
Crystal children are like concentrated versions of Indigoes. In fact they are the children of the Indigo generation, thus their awareness/abilities are more fine tuned.
AR: The tale certainly contains strong spiritual undertones. What made them such an essential element for you to include in the story?
TC: I think that came naturally because I am quite spiritual. I find it tedious when I have to fill in some form that asks my religion and I simply don't fit in any of the boxes. There have been times where I'm having such a form filled for me and the person says "Uh okay I'll just tick you as Christian." It used to bother me, but I realise that the word 'spiritual' is so vast that it loses people, and yet it is what bonds all of us no matter what religion we ascribe to. It was essential to the story because it is a bond, a place prejudices aside, we all pretty much have the same hopes and fears that can be worked through in a very elemental manner. Life is simple, humans make it complicated.
Funnily enough, the biggest praise I've ever gotten for my book was from my sister, a Christian who said, "This book has become my second Bible!"
AR: What's the main message that you'd like readers to take away from the book?
TC: I think "Don't forget to BE" pretty much sums it up. You were born beautiful. If wherever you are now casts doubt, remember to keep it simple. Get back to basics, remember to be the person you have always been, but are sometimes afraid to.
AR: The Mouth Of Babes is actually the first installment of a trilogy of similar tales. What, if anything, can you tell us about the remaining books in the series?
TC: Well, I'm about half way through writing the second book and I've already written the end to the third. In the second book, Teeny grows up in more ways than one. She has come back from her coma remembering more than expected and encounters others like herself, including Imhotep, one of the beings she met in the alternate plane of existence. She has the remainder of her mission to fulfill, but she is no longer just an average child. If her parents were worried while she was in a coma, they are practically losing their minds as she goes through puberty. She constantly shocks them as they embark on a crash course in how to raise supreme being in a child's body, whose intellect and abilities far surpasses theirs combined.
AR: What writers have had the greatest influence over you in terms of developing your own personal writing style?
TC: I am a devout fan of Dan Brown, Marianne Du Pierres, and Stephen Donaldson's 'Gap' series. However, my writing style is based mostly on how I actually speak, which translates well on paper, but often annoys the heck out of my family who often say; "Please, not the story version, summarise and spit it out!"
Since having written The Mouth of Babes, I had been recommended books by online friends who believed I got my ideas from authors such as Philip Pullman and Octavia Butler. When I read the 'His Dark Materials' trilogy and 'The Patternists' series, my eyes almost popped out of my head for the similaries in certain concepts. I completely get why my friend didn't believe me when before her mention of him, I'd never heard of Philip Pullman. I came close to ditching my book altogether when I saw the big cats that altered their forms to become another specie, which is, amongst other reasons, why though my book was published in 2007 I didn't actually print and release the book till May this year.
AR: Please share more with us about your publisher, N9neformation.
TC: N9neformation is actually my own publishing company that I set up solely for the purpose of releasing The Mouth of Babes trilogy. I got caught up in the enthusiasm of friends who encouraged me to get published, but not enough to be deluded into believing say, Simon & Schuster, would throw a dream deal in my lap. Only once I had gone through the whole proceedure did I sit back and wonder what the hell I was thinking. Fear kicked in something terrible and I decided I couldn't go through with it. I convinced myself that the personal sense of achievement was enough. Everyone else, even my children, believed in me before I was brave enough to believe in myself. At one point I was even called selfish for not going wanting through with it.
I have since become very empowered and want to be as strong for others as my friends and family were for me. Pay it forward so to speak. I can now say becoming a publisher has been one of the best gifts I have given myself and hope to share with others from a perspective of knowing that fear, having learnt to overcome it and as a result, BEing my authentic self.
AR: What are your future writing/publishing aspirations?
TC: Writing wise, I'm toying with a couple of ideas. As well as writing the remainder of the trilogy, I am writing short stories about one of the key characters: Zaub-ah, so my hands are pretty full for the next couple of years at least. I've actually had dialogue with a film director who read my book and envisioned making a film adaptation of it. Needless to say I'm well motivated to finish the trilogy asap!
As a publisher I am focused on helping other first time authors conquer their fears (though thus far I remain the biggest coward I've come across!) and making their dream of getting published a reality, whilst allowing them to have as little or as much control as they would like. Overnight I've become an adviser of sorts, and often have writers and even music artists and website owners approaching me for support on how to promote themselves in a cost effective manner, or simply if I can give honest criticism on their manuscripts. I'm now being approached to become a speaker at events, which is all wonderful as I am meeting so many amazing people. However, what I'm realising is that as a publisher, though your success may be counted from how many books you have released, that is far from being all you do.
I guess I would say my greatest aspiration is to stay excited and yet sincere in what I do. Lead by genuine example, which includes not beating myself up about the 101 typos that only seemed to become visible AFTER publication :) Sometimes you get it wrong, but it gives an excellent to build up and improve upon.
AR: How can our readers learn more about you and your ongoing efforts?
TC: Ooh so many ways, take your pick!
My publisher site: www.n9neformation.com
My book site: www.n9necouncil.com and the forum: http://n9necouncil.com/forum/index.php
On Lulu - http://Lulu.com/n9neformation
and Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Tosin-Coker/125068211219
AR: How can they contact you directly?
TC: Again, many ways: Email - n9neformation@gmail.com
Twitter - http://twitter.com/n9neformation
Myspace - myspace.com/n9neformation
AR: Any final thoughts you'd like to share?
TC: Just a huge congratulatory thanks to all, who despite the odds, keep striving to BE.
AR: Thanks again, Tosin, and best of continued success to you in all your endeavors!
TC: Thank you!