Former Birmingham Young Poet Laureate, Nyanda Foday has always been an avid reader. In the words of this beautiful poem she encourages all children to become keen readers, too. Her words eloquently capture all the amazing things a book can do in terms of making friends, taking you travelling while also giving you confidence to take your place in the world.
She describes how a book can be a piece of driftwood that can hold you up when life get tough and how a character in a book can be a friend when you feel lonely. Above all, she encourages all readers to find themselves in a book and all writers and illustrators to make sure that every reader can find a character they can identify with.
From former Birmingham Young Poet Laureate Nyanda Foday comes this inspirational, poetic introduction to the vital need for every child to see themselves in the books they read.
What does a book mean to those who search for acceptance and understanding? A place to find friends, feel part of a family, or to be your true self. A good book takes you to new worlds, the right one shows you can exist in this one. So for all bookworms - lovers of books - the world is waiting for you.
Nyanda Foday was Birmingham's Young Poet Laureate 2016-2018, and is inspired by the impact that words can have to create, unite, explain and enjoy. She strives to connect with others where she can by sharing and listening to others' work. Her parents moved from Sierra Leone to London before having Nyanda. Bookworms is Nyanda's debut picture book.
