Coming to England: An Inspiring True Story Celebrating the Windrush Generation

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Wrigglers, wanderers, stampers and shy children... reading different stories to different listeners It was important to have someone who has gone through some aspect of what I was writing. When you have that personal experience, it's great to get an opportunity to share it with society through a book and make a difference. Which of the characters did you find most interesting and why? I found Floella most interesting because she wanted to be the queen. Which of the characters did you find most interesting and why?Jacob liked Dardie the best because “he could play the saxophone.” I like the artistic attention to detail, the bold colourful style with the Historical fashion and the big petticoat skirts. It is very visually engaging and I learnt about Colonialism and Windrush as well as Trinidadian life. Even though it did not hide from the depressing subject of Racism, I was cheered up by the optimistic ending and would like to read more by this author. I am probably older than the age this is aimed at, but I think it would appeal to all ages.

No, it was always an autobiographical story. In fact, when I wrote it at first it was twice as long and had to be edited to be so much shorter. So I didn't conceive it as a picture book until now. From 24 February, there is no legal requirement to self-isolate if you get a positive day 2 test result. The author of this inspirational book is a girl who experienced the long journey. She tells her autobiography with the illustrator, Diane Ewen. There aren’t many words but the words and the pictures work together powerfully.Do you know how many days it took in 1960 to travel to grey, dark England from vibrant, warm Trinidad?

What made the history or the time it was set interesting? Jacob said he liked the book “my teacher sent me this because we are learning about different people.” Was the plot exciting, thought-provoking, serious or light-hearted (or any mixture of these)?There was not much of a plot but it was exciting how they slowly moved to England. In a way, it was the same when I was writing my novel Coming to England for older children, which doesn't have even one racist word in the book. But if I was writing it for adults, then I'd use stronger words to give the real feeling of what it was like. You can't even tell 10 or 11 year olds what it was truly like. I wouldn't want to burden them with it.

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Children should be of all cultures in stories because that's the society we live in, and this is especially true of picture books. With non-illustrated books for older children you can imagine what you like. But in a picture book you must spell it out. After a major earthquake in 1951 devastates their lives, Makis and his mother are re-homed in North London, but they face antagonism from both the British and Greek communities. I do a lot of prison visits and when I talk to prisoners they often say, 'When I was a child this happened to me.' I've realised children's minds get affected at a very young age with happy things, sad things, traumatic and joyful things. So the picture books that young children are seeing are vital. Did you enjoy the book? Explain your answer if it is yes or no.Yes. Floella got to meet the Queen when she was older.

You look at it holistically. I had to think very carefully about what I wanted very young children to know and grasp. Some of them know about moving to a new place, so they can understand the concept of moving. Some of them know about parents leaving, even if it's for a couple of weeks, so they know the emotional feeling that gives you. What most stands out for you from the book?When Floella was older her dream came true and she got to meet the Queen. A story of a Windrush generation girl who came to Britain in 1960 from the Caribbean. Adapted from the book Coming to England, which was written for children everywhere.Which of the characters did you find most interesting? Why?Floella. She told me a lot of interesting things about England. Which of the characters (if any) you did not like. Why?Floella’s new classmates. They called her names. From 4am 30 November 2021, fully vaccinated people must self-isolate and take a PCR test before the end of day 2 after they arrive in England. They may leave self-isolation if their PCR result is negative. Lateral flow tests will not be accepted. Owl or Pussycat? How Michael Morpurgo and Polly Dunbar find their inspiration in childhood memories

Floella Benjamin was a little girl who lived in Trinidad. Floella worked with an illustrator, Diane Ewen, to tell the astonishing story of Floella’s life, travelling from Trinidad to arriving in England. I learnt that England didn’t welcome Floella and her family but she didn’t give up. Would you recommend this book? Jacob said “Miss Worrall will like this book because we are learning about different skin colours at school.” Teenage rebels": Cane Warriors author Alex Wheatle on writing about young people living through incredible events Stories of Joy and Hope: share your story to win a school visit from our Writer in Residence Smriti Halls If you will arrive in England after 4am, Friday 18 March, you do not need to take any COVID-19 tests or fill in a UK passenger locator form.

Coming to England – An Inspiring True Story Celebrating the Windrush Generation by Floella Benjamin and illustrated by Diane Ewen is published by Macmillan Children's Books on 8 October. It was a great collaboration and I'd love to write another book with Diane! When I look at illustrations I've got to get a warm feeling, and that's what Diane's do. Was the plot exciting, thought-provoking, serious or light-hearted (or any mixture of these)?Sad. Floella was bullied. Did you learn any new words or facts as a result of the story?No because I think it is a book for beginners. Children between the ages of five and 10 will only need to complete a PCR test on day two after arrival