The global pandemic has brought about countless changes to our society, especially in the time of the local lockdowns, which brought many activities to a sudden halt. Two young brothers, Joshua Olayanju, 14 years old, and David Olayanju, 11, were not precluded from this experience as many of their extra-curricular activities stopped due to the lockdown.
The two brothers didn’t let this faze them, instead decided to put their extra time to good use by writing books and crafting inspiring stories. The brothers began working on their books in 2020, which was published in the Spring of 2021.
The books that the Olayanju brothers have written aim to inspire and educate young learners through unique storylines and exciting characters. More importantly, part of the proceeds for the book sales support their goal to provide meals for as many families in need as possible. The young brothers are also deeply invested in helping families who struggle to put food on the table and have donated over 1,000 meals so far. This spirit of philanthropy is heavily rooted in their personal beliefs, always going out of their way to help other people and make the world a better place for all.
In The Barkley Files: Lost In Time by Joshua Olayanju, the young author shares an engaging story of three adventurous boys who went back in time. Joshua Olayanju highlights the different scientific theories and breakthroughs that make innovation today possible. Employing engaging storytelling, the young author helps young minds learn about the past and think differently about shaping the future.
Meanwhile, In Soar by David Olayanju, the young author encourages kids to have confidence in their abilities. By sharing the story of Jerome Haskins, a basketball-loving kid who struggled with self-doubt, he highlights that readers do not need special abilities to accomplish their goals and emphasizes that hard work, determination, and perseverance are essential for success.
These highly imaginative stories have brought inspiration and motivation to many young readers across the United States. The young authors have taken it upon themselves to use the power of literature to inspire many young minds through deeply woven narratives full of hope and courage in the face of a global pandemic.
Joshua Olayanju is a 10th grader who runs track and enjoys playing piano and chess. He is also a memory athlete and one of 10 USAMC finalists for 2021. David Olayanju is in 8th grade, he enjoys basketball and is part of his school basketball team. He also enjoys cooking, with an online catalog of over 200 recipes that he plans to try his hands on someday.
The Olayanju brothers live in New Jersey with their families. In the near future, the brothers plan to write more books, allowing them to connect and inspire an even bigger global audience.
Learn more about the Olayanju brothers’ books here.