Review: Bright Starts of Black British History, by J.T. Williams, illustrated by Angela Vives

A dazzlingly illustrated collection presenting the extraordinary life
stories of fourteen bright stars from Black British history, from Tudor
England to modern Britain.

Brought to life through hand-painted illustrations by award-winning illustrator Angela Vives, this important and timely book from author and educator J. T. Williams brings the lives of fourteen shining stars from Black British History into the spotlight, celebrating their remarkable achievements and contributions to the arts, medicine, politics, sport and beyond.

Featuring a constellation of iconic individuals – including storytelling freedom fighter Mary Prince, football star and World War I soldier Walter Tull, and Notting Hill Carnival founder Claudia Jones – ‘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.

My Review

Thanks to the publisher for sending me a copy of this book and to Anne for organising the blog tour.

This book arrived this morning (6th November 2023); I’m ill so I’m not at work today and I can’t focus on anything too complicated. Sometimes I read children’s books when I feel like that, so this book arriving today is perfect. I read it all, obviously.

The biographies are detailed but easy to understand, a nine year old would not struggle to process the information provided. The author brings in the social conditions around people’s lives so that readers understand the greater cultural story.

This book is gorgeous! Look at these illustrations! Watercolour and pencils, reproduced in printing. I loved looking at them and noting all the details. As a hardback book, it has thick pages and the cover is embossed. It is thoroughly tactile, for those of us who need that.

It has a glossary and bibliography for further understanding and reading.

I’m going to give this one to my cousin’s kids for Christmas, probably.

And now, I’m off to cough my lungs up.

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