Granny Came Here on the Empire Windrush - by Patrice Lawrence

Book Synopsis

From Patrice Lawrence, author of Our Story Starts in Africa, named a 2022 Best Book for Kids by the New York Public Library.

This heart-warming and heartfelt debut picture book from multi-award-winning author Patrice Lawrence introduces the struggles and achievements of a generation of African Caribbeans who traveled across the Atlantic to call a new country home.

Ava is asked to dress up as an inspirational figure for her school assembly, but who should she choose? Granny suggests famous familiar figures such as Winifred Atwell, Mary Seacole, and Rosa Parks, and tells Ava all about their fascinating histories, but Ava's classmates have already claimed them-and she must choose someone else. But who?

When Ava finds a mysterious old suitcase and Granny shares her own history, and how she came to England on the Empire Windrush many years ago. She tells her story through the precious items that accompanied her on the original voyage, each one evoking a memory of home. As Ava listens to how Granny built a life for herself in England-determined to stay against the odds and despite overwhelming homesickness-she realizes that there is a hero very close to home-her very own brave and beloved granny.

"This 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. An absolute must-have for any collection." -Dapo Adeola, author of Hey You!: An Empowering Celebration of Growing Up Black

"A loving family story that pays tribute to the often unseen but no less powerful moments of courage." - Kirkus Reviews (starred review)

About the Author

Patrice Lawrence (Author)
Patrice Lawrence is an award-winning writer. Her debut YA novel, Orangeboy, won the Bookseller YA Prize and the Waterstones Prize for Older Children's Fiction and was shortlisted for the Costa Children's Book Award. Her subsequent novels have been much acclaimed and frequent visitors to prize lists.

Patrice was born in Brighton, raised in an Italian-Trinidadian family in mid-Sussex, and now lives on the South Coast.

Patrice was awarded an MBE for Services to Literature in the Queen's Birthday Honours 2021.

Camilla Sucre (Illustrator)
Camilla Sucre, a Trinidadian-American artist who resides in Baltimore, has found a different kind of home in narrative illustration. Interested in illustration since she was a child, her dreams are finally coming true as she loves to explore new avenues of artmaking and illustration and new stories to tell.

Camilla also has a passion for film and a natural love of movies and hopes she can one day express that in her work. Her favourite film is currently 'The Red Shoes', an old movie - which is very fitting because she loves old things!