Granny Came Here on the Empire Windrush
What’s inside...
This heart-warming and heartfelt debut picture book from multi-award-winning author, Patrice Lawrence, illustrated by Camilla Sucre, will help ensure that the struggles and achievements of the Windrush generation are never forgotten. Ava is asked to dress up as an inspirational figure for her school assembly, but is unsure who to pick. Her classmates have already chosen well-known figures such as Winifred Atwell, Mary Seacole, and Rosa Parks. Ava's grandmother suggests she choose someone else and shares her own story of traveling to England as part of the Windrush generation, helping Ava find her inspiration through her family's history. As Ava listens to her grandmother's story, she realizes that there is a hero very close to home—her very own brave and beloved granny. The book is a heart-warming, intergenerational account of the Windrush experience, told with love and attention to detail by Patrice Lawrence and stunningly brought to life with Camilla Sucre's beautiful artwork.
Age
4-8
Length
40 pages
Text complexity
Discussion points
How do you think Granny felt when she first arrived on the Empire Windrush?
Why is it important to remember and talk about the stories of people who moved to new countries?
What are some ways people can make newcomers feel welcome in a new place?
How can we learn more about the cultures and histories of the people in our community?
What would you bring with you if you had to move to a new country, and why?
Tip: Role play these questions
Encourage empathy by asking your child to imagine themselves in Granny's shoes during her journey and her initial days in the new country.
Highlight the importance of diversity and inclusion, discussing how everyone’s story and background contribute uniquely to a community.
Discuss the concept of resilience, exploring how Granny and others might have overcome challenges in unfamiliar environments.
Use a globe or map to trace the journey from the Caribbean to the UK, providing a visual context for the discussion.
Connect the themes of the book to current events or personal family histories where appropriate, to make the conversation more relevant and engaging.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: Understanding and appreciating cultural diversity
Explanation: The story highlights Granny's journey on the Empire Windrush, which symbolizes the migration of many from the Caribbean to Britain. This introduces children to the concept of migration and its impact on cultural identity.
Real-World Application: Children can learn to respect and celebrate different cultures they encounter in their schools and communities, enhancing social harmony and understanding.
Example Lesson: The importance of family history and lineage
Explanation: Through Granny's tales and experiences, children gain insights into their ancestors' lives, struggles, and triumphs.
Real-World Application: This encourages children to engage with their own family members, learn about their heritage, and preserve important family stories for future generations.
Example Lesson: Resilience in the face of change
Explanation: Granny's ability to adapt to a new country and challenges exemplifies resilience.
Real-World Application: Children can apply this lesson by learning to adapt to changes and setbacks in their own lives, like moving to a new city or transitioning to a new school, using perseverance and a positive attitude.
Example Lesson: The value of sharing personal stories
Explanation: Granny shares her journey and experiences with her family, teaching the importance of oral storytelling in preserving history.
Real-World Application: Children can be encouraged to share their own stories and listen to others, thereby improving their communication skills and emotional understanding.