Black History suggestions

As a judge on the SLA Information book awards for the last five years, I have noted the increase in the number of books which look at the role of Black and Asian people in the history of Britain.  The books mentioned here are just a few of the ones that have appeared in the last couple of years and which are useful for the school library, as well as introducing young people to their heritage and role in this country.  These may be the tip f the iceberg, but there are many more books which can be found on a variety of booklists, and magazines such as “Pen and inc.”, published by Cilip (Chartered Institute of Library and Information Professionals)

 

Macmillan, 9781529066203

Black History for Every Day of the Year” by David, Yinka and Kemi Olusoga looks at events and people over each day of the year.  The book covers the whole world and also multiple periods of history.  A pot potpourri of black history that can act as a starting point for further enquiry.  This should be in every secondary school library and will be invaluable for both the pupils and the staff.

“History through the Black Experience” by Simon Hudson  is a two volume book that also covers the black experience through a daily record.  These volumes cover the first and second six months of the year and each day highlights major events through history.  It is richly illustrated and highlights the names of historical characters and events.  There is a comprehensive index.  This is accessible for upper KS2, but probably sits better in a secondary library.

Thames and Hudson, 9780500652923

“Bright Stars of Black British History” by J.T. Williams and Angela Vives  is an introduction to the role of the black community in the history of Britain.  It covers wide time periods and then looks at specific people who have played a central role in many walks of life.  A great read for lower KS2 pupils.

Bloomsbury, 9781526635716

“Brilliant Black British History” by Atinuke and Kingsley Nebechi.  This book is aimed at the lower KS2 reader and is about the history of black people and the role they have played in the creation and growth of Great Britain.  It is richly illustrated and  I particularly like the section about major black figures, who are currently making an impact in our world.

Quarto, 9780711277007

“Young Gifted and Black Too” by Jamia Wilson and Andrea Pippins is the second book about some of the most iconic black figures, both from the past and from the current period.  It also covers people across the world, rather than just from Great Britain.  It can be read by all KS2 children and although many of the people are well known, there are many that we do not know in this country, so it is good to hear about them and their contributions.

Andersen Press, 9781839133398

“Unspoken” by Kwame Alexander and Dare Coulter is a heart breaking picture book, with a poetic text which speaks of the horrors of slavery.  It looks at how the subject can be taught in schools and although it has an American setting, we can learn so many lessons in this country.  It makes a stunning introduction to the subject and is full of emotion and the need to understand and learn.

Magic Cat, 9781913520946

“Lessons from our Ancestors” by Raksha Dave and Kimberlie Clinthorne-Wong  is a broad look at the impact of cultures around the world, particularly before they were altered by the appearance of white men and so-called western culture.  It show young people that whatever their own cultural heritage, they will have contributed to the knowledge held in the world today.  It makes a good starting point when looking at the history of nations around the world.

Quarto, 9780711266933

“Hear Our Voices” by Radhika Natarajan, Chad Tayiana and Alexander Mostov. This book looks at the history of the British Empire, through the lives of 20 figures from across the world.  It is about understanding the importance of the people and their contributions to the world, despite being treated as second class by the ruling elites of their times.  It covers the period from the expansionism of the 16th century up to the present day.

Ten Little Dogs by Ruth Brown

I have to say, with no exaggeration,  that I have been a great fan of this author for well over 20 years.  I was lucky enough to meet her in the late 1990s, when she came to do an event for Bristol Libraries, talking to a large group of school children.  It is one of my earliest experiences of  an author event in a public library, but I think I have made up for it since then.

This link to an interview with the wonderful Jake Hope is a fascinating look at the author and her beautiful collection of work. https://www.cilip.org.uk/blogpost/1637344/354662/An-Interview-with-illustrator-Ruth-Brown

This latest book is a totally delightful re-working of the old counting rhyme that has been popular with young children for so many generations.  We start out with ten small puppies of assorted varieties and through the book we count down, as one by one they are caught out by their adventurous behaviour.  As you would expect, the text is in rhyme and I am delighted by the way that Ruth Brown has maintained the rhyming structure and yet has brought the language up to date.   I love the way that the author has moved the action between different pages; the backgrounds range from the seaside to the park and also the various back gardens.  We see the puppies playing with sticks, garden hoses, food bowls and even chasing butterflies, as well as being nipped by a crab at the seaside.  This gives a superb opportunity for discussion with the children about their experiences with puppies, or they might not have had any contact but will be fascinated by the antics of those they see on the page.

Anyone who has ever come into contact with small dogs will recognize the body language that the author portrays in her illustrations.  The images are full of energy and the excitement in life that young dogs have in abundance.  The situations that they find themselves in is very believable and I am sure that most dog owners will have seen some of these hilarious events.  The humour and the movement are elements that really stand out and make this a book that will become a favourite in years to come; both for reading to groups and  as a book to enjoy with a child or grandchild.

I was recently looking through a folder of old newspaper cuttings and came across the one relating to Ruth’s visit to Bristol Libraries; it was in the “Bristol Observer” for Friday 13th November 1998.  Ruth was there to help us launch the start of the “Bookstart” project in Bristol

Ruth Brown

Ruth BrownRuth Brown is the creator of some of Britain’s best loved children’s books. She was born in Devon and now lives in London and Kent. Ruth’s books are translated in many languages around the world, and she has won the Earthworm Award, the English Association Award, the Prix Sorcière and been shortlisted 3 times for the Kate Greenaway Medal.  Scallywag Press

“Brown, whose exceptional draughtsmanship makes all her books a feast, visits a gallery with a difference in this picture book about cats and artists. A book to lead readers to 13 painters from Mondrian to Munch and Kahlo to Klimt.” Sunday Times Culture Magazine

Festivals and more

 

I have been reminded recently that we are now in the middle of Festival season.  There have been some great posts on Facebook about the fun at Edinburgh and I am so envious of all you lucky people who were able to attend, both as visitors and as participants.  We have just had the stewarding schedules put out for the Bath Kids Lit Festival and I look forward to seeing lots of great friends there at the end of September.  I also heard on the TV this morning that booking has started for Cheltenham Festival which begins on the 3rd October with Michael Rosen and then Henry Winkler.  I think it is the first time that Bath and Cheltenham have overlapped in this way and it will be interesting to see if it will affect ticket sales over the first weekend in October.  For those who cannot attend any of these events then there is the Children’s Roadshow which is touring the country, visiting 15 cities,  from the end of September until the end of November.  There are some great names and with any luck lots of schools will be taking their children to meet and hear some amazing authors and illustrators.children_bookshow_leaflet[1]

This year I am not doing quite as much at Bath, but I am looking forward to the events I am doing, which include a debate on the future of teaching, Michael Rosen and the ‘Big, Big, Bath Book Quiz with Andy Stanton.  During that week we also have the local Centurion Book Award ceremony and the national ‘Information Book Award’, in association with the School Library Association.

Before all of this activity I have two other book related events that I am attending.  Next week we have the launch of the new book by Lauren Child, which is being hosted at Daunt’s on Marylebone High Street; it is a fabulous book that looks at the issues of having a new baby in the house. The following weekend is the Nosy Crow Conference and the following Saturday is the Cilip Members day, thankfully that is being held in Bristol, so on my home turf.  It’s only when you write all of this down that you see what a hectic month this is going to be and that is before I add in my school governor training.  I will definitely need a holiday after all of that.

Something I will still manage to fit in among all of these activities is my reading.  I have got some really great books in the pipeline and I look forward to talking about them in the near future; they include authors such as Michael Morpurgo, Holly Black and Garth Nix.  There are also some superb picture books at the moment and lots more coming in our direction in time for Christmas.  Why are there only 24 hours in the day, I need more?