Blog tour: Bright Stars of Black British History

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Welcome to the blog tour for Bright Stars of Black British History by J T Williams!

More about the book…

This richly illustrated collection presents the extraordinary life stories of fourteen bright stars from Black British history – from Tudor England to modern Britain – and charts their ongoing influence.

This important and timely book delves into the life stories of important figures – including Tudor trumpeter John Blanke, storytelling freedom fighter Mary Prince, and Notting Hill Carnival founder Claudia Jones – many of whom are only just beginning to get the recognition that they deserve.

Brought to life through hand-painted illustrations by award-winning illustrator Angela Vives, Bright Stars of Black British History shines a light on the courage, resilience and talent of remarkable individuals who have left a lasting mark on our collective history.

More about the author and illustrator…

J.T. Williams is an author and educator specialising in Black British history. She has a Masters in Creative Writing from Royal Holloway University. Her debut children’s book, Lizzie and Belle: Drama and Danger (Farshore) was shortlisted for Foyle's Children's Book of the Year 2022 and for the Waterstones Children's Book Prize 2023.

Angela Vives is an award-winning illustrator with an MA in children’s book illustration from Anglia Ruskin University, Cambridge, UK. In 2020 she won the Picture Hooks Winter Comforts competition. She was shortlisted for the Cheltenham Illustration Awards 2019, and longlisted for the World Illustration Awards 2020.

My impressions…

Oh, to be a child growing up today and having wonderful books like this available! What a treasure of a resource! And, let’s be honest, even though this book is aimed at children, I don’t know any adults who wouldn’t benefit from it. I only knew two of these important figures, and I loved discovering all others. I can’t wait to share what I’ve learned – and the book itself – with my children. They are younger than the intended target audience, but this doesn’t mean that I can’t help them dip their toes in Black British history. The beautiful illustrations, for example, are a good starting point – and I can summarise the text to make it more accessible. Parents and educators won’t want to miss this.

Three words to describe it. Inspiring. Educational. Essential.

Do I like the cover? I love it, as I loved all the illustrations.

Have I read any other books by the same author? No, but I am 100% interested!

 

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