J. T. Williams is back with yet another 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 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.
Williams, an author and educator, specialises in Black British history. She has a Master’s in Creative Writing from Royal Holloway University.
Her debut children’s book, Lizzie and Belle: Drama and Danger was shortlisted for Foyle’s Children’s Book of the Year 2022 and for the Waterstones Children’s Book Prize 2023.
Bright Stars of Black British History, has taken four years to get right and stands out for its in-depth research, literary prose and artistic illustrations.
Each biography is linked to global historical events, taking readers into fields including the arts, journalism, politics, medicine, and sports.
The book is a timely response to the call for better representation of people of colour in the UK school history curriculum and for improved teaching of Black History.
Comments Form
2 Comments
Congratulations to a dear friend on this her third book which will inform its audiences, especially the young people of the achievements and contributions of historic Black people, who must all be considered as part of overall British history. I keep telling Joanna who herself is a “Bright Star” to remember me when she is rich and famous!
Congratulations, thank you for what you are doing. So proud of you.