Mrs Foster was my fourth year junior teacher at St Barbara’s School in Wulfen, Germany. She was wonderful! She encouraged my love of singing and drama. She cast me as Mary in the school Nativity, Only A Baby. A visiting music teacher, Mr Parfitt, led that production but I know that it was Mrs Foster that ensured I play Mary. In assemblies and music sessions Mrs Foster encouraged us all and ‘fostered’ our talents and enthusiasms. Mrs Foster also helped me with my creative writing, praising my stories and poems.
Mrs Foster was the teacher that first made me want to be a teacher myself and it was the way she read to us that did it. For years when reading I Am David, The Silver Sword and Children of the Oregon Trail I would see Mrs Foster’s lips when reading. I used to love watching her and listening to her read. These three books are still my three all time favourites and ones that I always share with classes of my own, books I chose to write about at University too. I owe much to Mrs Foster and feel sad that I do not know where she is in the world anymore as I would love to see her again and thank her for setting me on my way.
Reading My Beautiful Voice by Joseph Coelho and Allison Colpoys made me so emotional remembering my own school days and my special teacher. It also made me think of some of the children who I have helped through the years. The children that stick in my mind are children who I cast in certain roles in school plays because I wanted them to believe in themselves and find their voice. Alice, Jake, Lydia, Hugo, Kaysie, Daisy to name a few. Now I am in the privileged position of being not only mummy to my children but also their teacher and I hope that through both of these roles I will be able to help my own children to be confident and creative and to find their own strengths, their talents, their voice.
In My Beautiful Voice a young child is feeling nervous and scared at the thought of having to read aloud a poem to the rest of the class. The child writes enthusiastically but dreads the thought of having to stand up and speak in front of others.
The class teacher, fabulous, flamboyant Miss Flotsam, loves poetry. She tells the class fun stories of her worldly adventures. She performs to the class and inspires them all to want to be just like her. Including the nervous child who narrates the story.
As readers we follow the emotional rollercoaster of writing a poem and finding the courage to stand up and read the words to others. We follow the child as they are inspired by the dramatic storytelling, kind words, firm but fair actions, nurturing nature and quiet one to one moments shared with their teacher. Miss Flotsam knows what to say and do to bring out the best in her children and to help them be brave. She knows how to help children find not only their voice but also their song and to have the courage to sing it loud and proud.
Through poetic storytelling and stunning illustrations we feel every emotion the child feels as they make their way to the front of the class, overcoming every obstacle, clearing every hurdle to use their beautiful voice and share their wonderful words for the very first time.
This book really reminded me of a secondary school boy called Mushy in a documentary called Educating Yorkshire. His teacher helped him to find his voice and helped him to speak publicly though he struggled with a stammer. Mushy and the child in My Beautiful Voice both made me cry. Helping children find the key that they need to unlock their fear, release their anxiety and use their voice is incredibly powerful and emotional. This book tells the story of one teacher and one child but their story represents the relationship shared by so many teachers and pupils, parents, grandparents and children. Having a grown up who believes in you and helps you be brave and achieve something new is incredibly special and important. It can be completely life changing.
The beauty of this book is not only the story but the poetry. The language is magical.
“Her clothes are … a flutter of fabric filled with the spice of colour.”
“Miss Flotsam reads to me stories of quiet heroes and beautiful unheard songs.”
“… Miss Flotsam gazes at her with eyes that can turn thunder into summer rain.”
“Our language of hushed tones, of lines,rhymes and verses starts bubbling up inside of me.”
My voice “feels like the first chirp of morning birdsong, like a key clicking in a lock, like the first patter of summer rain, like the first call of a seller at market.”
Such beautiful poetry that is complemented by the rich, vibrant illustrations that bring every character on every page to life.
This book is perfect for encouraging empathy in young children and for showing little ones that they can be brave, that they can be anything that they choose to be with courage and love, with time and support.
I adore EVERYTHING about this book and I am so grateful to Joseph and Allison for creating it.
Thank you x
We were sent a copy of the book in exchange for our honest review