As part of Hackney’s Black History Season 2023, we welcome Ken Wilson-Max for a storytelling session at Stamford Hill Library.
Ken Wilson-Max is the award-winning author and illustrator of Dream to Change the World: The Story of John La Rose and Jump Up! A Story of Carnival. Ken was inspired to write these two children’s books for 5- to 8-year-olds from unique archive materials at the George Padmore Institute (GPI) where he was writer in residence. Both are beautifully illustrated and are a part of the Reaching New Generations series of black history books published by the GPI. Jump Up! and Dream to Change the World are helping to increase diverse reading materials for younger children.
Dream to Change the World is a magical and joyful story about John La Rose’s childhood in Trinidad. A co-founder of the GPI and tireless activist, young readers will learn more about John’s varied career through a fascinating timeline at the end of the book, including how he helped set up several organisations to support black communities as well as the first black bookshop in the UK.
Jump Up! tells the story of Cecille, a young black girl living in the Caribbean, and how her community develops their very own Carnival based on their long-remembered African traditions. The story draws on the history of the festival, and celebrates one of the many contributions that Britain’s Caribbean population has made to cultural life in the UK.
For further information on Hackney’s Black History Season visit: Love Hackney, follow us on Instagram or Facebook or sign up for the Council’s newsletter. To find out what’s on at your local library, follow Hackney Libraries on Instagram or Facebook.
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