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)

From the Back Cover

Ava must dress as an inspirational figure for assembly at school, but who should she choose? Granny suggests famous figures such as Winifred Atwell and Rosa Parks but when Granny begins to share her own history, and how she first came to England on the Empire Windrush, Ava swiftly realises that there is a hero very close to home that she wants to celebrate more than anyone - her very own brave and beloved granny.

Review Quotes

A young Black girl learns about her beloved Trinidadian grandmother's immigration story.
When Ava must dress as someone she admires for a school project, Granny invites Ava to explore her special trunk. As Granny talks about the contributions of Black women such as singer Winifred Atwell, Ava learns a lot, but none of the suggestions quite fit. But then Ava sees an unfamiliar suitcase. Items in the cardboard case encourage Granny to tell her own story. An empty jar that once held orange peels reminded Granny that the scent of island oranges helped her cope with sea sickness as she sailed on the Empire Windrush, a real-life ship that carried emigrants from the Caribbean to the United Kingdom in the mid-20th century. A pebble helped her recall a swim in the river with her younger sister. Granny speaks of overcoming homesickness and loneliness and finding happiness once she met Ava's grandfather in her adopted home. Stirred by Granny's bravery, Ava decides her story is one to celebrate and chooses to share it with her class. Rooted in relatable, concrete details, this uplifting tale centers on a loving intergenerational relationship and illustrates the importance of sharing memories and history. Sucre's vibrant images make especially vivid use of the color yellow, contributing to the warmth of the narrative. (This book was reviewed digitally.)
A loving family story that pays tribute to the often unseen but no less powerful moments of courage. (author's note) (Picture book. 5-8)

--Kirkus (Starred)

Gr 1-4-Ava loves spending time with her granny, singing songs from Trinidad. But today Ava is preoccupied with the need to find a costume for school; students are supposed to dress up as someone they admire. Together, Granny and Ava look through old clothes from "a trunk where you could dive inside and come out as someone completely different." Granny suggests musician Winifred Atwell, nurse Mary Seacole, and activist Rosa Parks, but none are quite right. At the bottom of the trunk is Granny's cardboard suitcase from her journey from Trinidad to England on the Empire Windrush, a ship that transported thousands of immigrants to the UK between 1948 and 1971. When Granny tells her own story of moving to a new country alone and making a life there, Ava decides on the person she admires most, and on the final pages, she wears her granny's blue hat and yellow coat and carrying her cardboard grip. Granny and Ava have dark brown skin and black hair, and their shapes are gently rounded; their love, warmth, and closeness shine from the page. Sucre uses color effectively, with Granny's signature yellow standing out against an otherwise more muted background of English autumn and winter. An author's note reveals the autobiographical nature of the work but doesn't include information about the significance of the Empire Windrush or the history of migration from the Caribbean to Britain.

VERDICT A family story with a close intergenerational bond and broad significance that is highly recommended.

--School Library Journal

While learning about influential Black women throughout history, a young girl is captivated by an
inspiring role model close to home. Ava is asked to dress up as someone she admires for a
school assembly. Enlisting the help of her grandmother, the two look through Granny's vintage
trunk. Keepsake treasures spark Granny's memories, and she shares her post-WWII
experiences as a young woman leaving Trinidad and immigrating to Great Britain by herself.
Rich with evocative and emotive details, the text recounts the long journey aboard the Empire
Windrush, the harsh working conditions in a clothing factory, and the loneliness of missing home
and family: "The cold wrapped itself around me and wouldn't let go." Sucre's illustrations
effectively show the contrast between the warmth of Trinidadian "mountains glowing orange with
immortelle blossoms" and the concrete-gray urban London, England, landscape. With newfound
insight, Ava delivers a fitting tribute. This eloquent picture book shines a spotlight on the
resilience and courage of the Afro-Caribbean Windrush generation.

--Linda Ludke, Booklist

A family story with a close intergenerational bond and broad significance that is highly recommended.--Jenny Arch, School Library Journal

This book is a heartwarming intergenerational account of the Windrush experience, told with love and attention to detail by Patrice Lawrence and stunningly bought to life with the beautiful artwork of Camilla Sucre. An absolute must have for any collection. The award-winning YA author makes her picture book début with the heartfelt intergenerational story of a girl who discovers her grandmother's history, enriched by Sucre's stylish illustrations.--Dapo Adeola

This eloquent picture book shines a spotlight on the resilience and courage of the Afro-Caribbean Windrush generation.--Linda Ludke, Booklist

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

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 awarded an MBE for Services to Literature in the Queen's Birthday Honors 2021.Patrice was born in Brighton, raised in an Italian-Trinidadian family in mid-Sussex, and now lives on the South Coast of England.

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