Little Leaders: Bold Women in Black History (Vashti Harrison)

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A powerful, gripping and piercingly relevant YA novel about inequality, police violence, 21st century prejudice and one girl’s struggle for justice. Tara: 4 stars. Non-fiction. Good information for young readers but I thought the length of the stories would have it be grouped in middle grades. Who are five women listed in the book you would like to learn more about? Why did you choose the five women? Go learn five more facts about one of them. A story about the triumph of hope, love, and determination, Coming to England is the inspiring true story of Baroness Floella Benjamin: from Trinidad, to London as part of the Windrush generation, to the House of Lords.

Considering how few children’s books out there feature POC on the cover, that was the initial thing that drew me to this book. The next thing, was the title and how it very much ties into my goal when it comes to teaching my future children about equality for all, as well as feminism (which I suppose can also be categorized under “equality for all”…although I meant that one more for equality for all races? I’m not sure if there is specific terminology that I should be using, but if you know, please share it with me in the comments!) Harry (13): 3.5 stars. I Too long compared to all the other picture books, but I read some of them, and found them inspirational.

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Here's my biggest beef with all three of the books: WHO is the target audience? Are we trying to get Mom to buy copies to share with her daughters? If so, then tailor the women's blurbs to inspire the interest of children. Are we hoping that Mom will buy into the premise of buying them for her daughters, but then secretly enjoy them as part of her own library? If so, then spice up these dull stories! In this heart-stopping adventure, Benjamin Zephaniah shows us what it was like to be a child of the Windrush generation. From Academy Award-winning actress Lupita Nyong’o comes a powerful, moving picture book about colourism, self-esteem and learning that true beauty comes from within . Sulwe’s skin is the colour of midnight. She’s darker than everyone in her family, and everyone at school. All she wants is to be beautiful and bright, like her mother and sister. Connect: History is made up of stories told by the people who were there or those who came after and researched the people and events. When you write in your journal about the events of your day and the world around you, you are telling the story of that day. Look around at thekind and generous acts you see people doing; write about it to document the good in the world. Activities

I especially love that each illustration starts as a "template" with the famous woman's defining features created on top. It purposely creates the sensation that the drawing could be anyone, even the reader.The New Orleans school child who famously broke the color line in 1960 while surrounded by federal marshals describes the early days of her experience from a 6-year-old’s perspective. Written by by Dean Atta , Joseph Coelho , Kereen Getten, Patrice Lawrence, Theresa Lola , E.L. Norry , Jasmine Richards , Alexandra Sheppard , Yomi Sode , published by Knights Of I have also had the pleasure of studying Zora Neale Hurston, who grew up not far from my university in Florida, and I found her to be one of the most fascinating humans who ever lived. The woman was an absolute enigma! And, again, the text reads blah, blah, blah. Written by Baroness Floella Benjamin, illustrated by Diane Ewen, published by Macmillan Children’s Books

Marcus Rashford MBE is famous worldwide for his skills both on and off the pitch – but before he was a Manchester United and England footballer, and long before he started his inspiring campaign to end child food poverty, he was just an ordinary kid from Wythenshawe, South Manchester. Now the nation’s favourite footballer wants to show YOU how to achieve your dreams, in this positive and inspiring guide for life. I started this girl power journey with Good Night Stories for Rebel Girls: 100 Tales of Extraordinary Women and was positively blown away with the original art work (as were my two daughters), but the collection included so many unknown women and omitted so many more obvious choices, I was left scratching my head in confusion. The book held both of my daughters' interest for about 50% of the time. Sixteen-year-old Starr lives in two worlds: the poor neighbourhood where she was born and raised and her posh high school in the suburbs. The uneasy balance between them is shattered when Starr is the only witness to the fatal shooting of her unarmed best friend, Khalil, by a police officer. Talk about race is often discouraged, but this book aims to bring everyone into the conversation. It explores the history of race and society, giving context to how racist attitudes come into being. It looks at belonging and identity, the damaging effects of stereotyping and the benefits of positive representation. The authors talk sensitively about how to identify and challenge racism, and how to protect against and stop racist behaviour.Lyra (11): 4 stars. I love the stories. They're very long for a little kid book, but still, very inspiring. Nathaniel doesn’t want to move to England with his master’s family, leaving behind his mother and sister on the Jamaican plantation. But then he remembers what his mother told him: once a slave sets foot on English soil, they’re free. Perhaps he can earn his fortune and buy his family’s freedom, too. Filled with optimism and joy, yet deeply personal and relevant, young children will follow Floella’s experiences of moving home and making friends. Alongside vibrant illustrations by Diane Ewen, this powerful story shows little people how courage and determination can always overcome adversity. Ask: What do you notice about the pictures of the women on the front cover of the book? What questions do you have? Connect:Would you be considered brave if you did today what the women in these storiesdid? Talk about the difference between then and now? What has changed, and what must still change? After Reading