Today is Windrush Day and we have started a mini topic about The Windrush Generation
Using the true story of Baroness Floella Benjamin
We have this picture book and the chapter book
Of her amazing story of courage, resilience determination and belonging
Last night we watched the BBC dramatisation of the story
And today we listened to Floella on Desert Island Discs
We are using the teaching notes from CLPE to structure our learning about The Windrush Children and Floella’s story
Coming To England: An Inspiring True Story Celebrating The Windrush Generation
Uses Floella’s words and the wonderful illustrations of Diane Ewen
To tell the story of Floella and her family coming from Trinidad to England
The book begins by sharing the family’s joyful life in Trinidad
And their love for Great Britain, The Land of Hope and Glory
At first they are excited for the move to England and filled with hope for their new life
But life in the green and pleasant land is not all that they hoped it would be
People were unkind to them at first and it took the family a while to settle in to their new home
We see the contrast between life in Trinidad and in London
How the family had to be brave and strong when others were cruel and hard
This is a tale of courage and overcoming adversity
We love the bond between the siblings
We loved seeing Floella make friends at school
And we loved that Floella finally realised her dream of meeting the Queen
This is such an inspiring story and one made accessible for littlest readers
Through the wonderful words and vibrant illustrations
A wonderful way to introduce little readers to Windrush and migration
A tale to inspire all of us to never give up on our dreams