"Fascinating, accessible, beautifully illustrated, and a very important, necessary revision to the history of the British Isles"
English Association - English 4-11 Picture Book Awards: 7-11 Non-Fiction Winner The British Book Awards: Children's Non-Fiction Book of the Year Winner UKLA Information Books 3-14 category Winner
With her trademark fluidity of language and clarity of communication, Atinuke has written the perfect antidote to the standard “white” view of British history and will ensure that Black History is not confined to a single month, nor entirely focused on Slavery and Empire.
Choosing to start from the origins of Homo Sapiens in Africa and explaining how evolution and migration has impacted upon the development of the species, makes two things abundantly clear. Britain’s history began with migration about 12,000 years ago and those migrants had black skin. Paler skin only gradually evolved in northern lands in response to the lack of sunshine to form the vitamin D essential to human health and the first white migrants to Britian arrived here no more than 4,500 years ago.
This is only the first of the fascinating facts to be learnt as the story moves through the Romans, Tudors, Georgians, Victorians, World Wars, all the way up to the Windrush generation, colonial independence to the current day, showcasing in every period the contributions made by Black British lives.
Atinuke’s skill with storytelling makes for compelling reading and she does not pull any punches in telling the complex story of slavery, conquest, colonisation, industrialisation and war. The stunning illustrations and clever layout and timelines make their own effective contribution to understanding. The book powerfully concludes with a page on Black Lives Matter and the continuing fight against racism. This extraordinary, impactful and eye opening book is an absolutely essential purchase for schools and parents.
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An eye-opening story of Britain, focusing on a part of our past that has mostly been left out of the history books: Black British history.
Did you know that the first Britons were Black? Or that some of the Roman soldiers who invaded and ruled Britain were Black, too? Join this fascinating journey through the ages to meet those first Britons, as well as the Black Tudors, Georgians and Victorians who existed in every walk of life here. The incredible journey through time is brought to life through Atinuke's fascinating storytelling and illustrated scenes, detailed maps, and timelines created by illustrator Kingsley Nebechi.
From science and sport to literature and law, celebrate the brilliant Black people who have helped build Britain. Learn about key and complex historical topics such as the world wars, slavery, the industrial revolution, Windrush and the Black Lives Matter movement. This fascinating book will change everything you thought you knew about our green-grey British isles.
The LoveReading4Kids Editorial Team have read and reviewed Brilliant Black British History and determined it is suitable for children aged 7-12 years old
Brilliant Black British History features in the following genres: Featured Books for 7+ readers, Featured Books for 9+ readers, Featured Books for 11+ readers, Recommendations, History, People / Places, Work / Industry, PSHE: Multiculturalism, Diversity and Inclusion, Reference Works, Personal Social Health Economic (PSHE), Children’s / Teenage: General interest, Children’s, Teenage and Educational
Brilliant Black British History is available in Paperback, Hardback
Brilliant Black British History was written by Atinuke and published by Bloomsbury Children's Books an imprint of Bloomsbury Publishing (UK)
Brilliant Black British History has 63 pages
£8.09
