Author: Jen Reid and Angela Joy
Illustrator: Leire Salaberria
Publisher: Frances Lincoln Children's Books
Publication Date: June 6, 2023
Length: 40 Pages
About the Author
Jen Reid grew up in the city of Bath, England. Her experiences of racism growing up were first-hand. From being the only Black child in her local primary school in the 1980s to moving to London in the 1990s and facing the daily microaggressions that black women suffer in the workplace, Jen has experienced the everyday racism that is ingrained in our society.
The Events of June 7, 2020, in Bristol, England
This children's picture book is based on the events of June 7, 2020, in Bristol, England. A statue of the seventeenth-century slave trader Edward Colston was pulled down and thrown into Bristol Harbour during a George Floyd anti-racism protest.
Jen Reid was one of the protesters that day and she spontaneously climbed on the empty statue base and raised her fist high above her head. This moment was captured on camera and shared around the world.
A statue of Jen was placed on the empty statue base and was called "A Surge of Power". It gained widespread attention for the 24 hours it was in place.
My Thoughts
This is a powerful book that deals with racism and activism.
The book provides parents and teachers an opportunity to discuss these issues with children and answer their questions. Children of all races and nationalities could benefit from reading and discussing this book.
The illustrations are excellent and add value to the text. The story is appropriate for children of all ages. Highly Recommended.
RATING: 5 STARS OUT OF 5
FYI ~ I received a free digital copy of this book from NetGalley to review.
Thank you for visiting my blog. Please FOLLOW this blog and SHARE your thoughts in the Comments Section below.
