Today is Windrush Day in the UK, where we remember and celebrate the Windrush generation who came from the Caribbean to help rebuild Britain after the Second World War, honouring them – and their descendants – for their immense contribution to British society. While I don’t have a specific book about Windrush to share, I thought it would be fitting to feature David Olusoga’s illustrated Black and British book, which focuses on the role that Black people have played in Britain’s history dating from Roman times to the present day, and obviously features Windrush. As David eloquently says in his introduction, ‘Black history helps explain how national history is intertwined with our family history. It helps us make sense of the country we are today’.
While we already have the book David wrote aimed at readers aged 12+, this brilliantly-illustrated version brings Black British history to life for a younger audience, which I think is so important. It’s a fascinating read regardless of age and an absolute must for both school classrooms and home bookshelves – an outstanding ‘windows and mirrors’ book for everyone to learn from.