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Some of Coming to England is really upsetting, particularly the racism you experienced. How did you decide what to leave out in the picture book, and what to keep in to tell the same, but slightly different, story? This book is exciting because their father goes to England and they go after him. While in Jamaica she dreamed of meeting the queen, which she did eventually when she was older. I enjoyed the bright colours in the illustrations and the fact that they tied in well with the text. Floella Benjamin has rewritten her groundbreaking autobiography Coming to England, turning it into a picture book with beautiful illustrations by Diane Ewen. Did you learn any new words or facts as a result of the story?No because I think it is a book for beginners. Was the plot exciting, thought-provoking, serious or light-hearted (or any mixture of these)?Sad. Floella was bullied.
The book told me about the British Empire and about why people came to England from the other side of the world. I empathised with Floella’s worries about moving somewhere new with new people. It must have been hard too, to cope with the change of climate. London was cold and the people were cold as well. Being happy with her family again, helped her cope with the discrimination, she settled in and it felt like home.To avoid any confusion over naming, if a storm is the remnants of a tropical storm or hurricane that has moved across the Atlantic, the name would not be changed and would follow the established method of being referred to as 'ex-hurricane Ophelia' for example. Floella writes eloquently about growing up on a Caribbean island with her parents and five siblings, wonderfully evoking a sense of sunshine, love and laughter. She also speaks candidly of the hostile reception she receives on arrival in Britain, where she is seen as a colour rather than a person, and shows great resilience, determination and courage when facing this discrimination. Wrigglers, wanderers, stampers and shy children... reading different stories to different listeners Coming to England is such a popular book that it seemed a great idea to make a picture book version so younger children can enjoy it too. People might think it's easy writing a picture book, but it's not, especially when you've got quite a complicated real life story such as Coming to England. Was the plot exciting, thought-provoking, serious or light-hearted (or any mixture of these)?Exciting. Not only did Floella learnt about England, I did too!!
People who qualify as fully vaccinated for travel to England can now end self-isolation after 7 days with 2 negative lateral flow tests.
Which of the characters did you find most interesting and why? I found Floella most interesting because she wanted to be the queen. Is there anything you did not like about this book?I didn’t like the children who wouldn’t play with Floella.
I like the artistic attention to detail, the bold colourful style with the Historical fashion and the big petticoat skirts. It is very visually engaging and I learnt about Colonialism and Windrush as well as Trinidadian life. Even though it did not hide from the depressing subject of Racism, I was cheered up by the optimistic ending and would like to read more by this author. I am probably older than the age this is aimed at, but I think it would appeal to all ages. What is the book about? A little girl from Trinidad moves to England to be with her family in London Within the North Atlantic Ocean, tropical or subtropical cyclones are named by the National Hurricane Centre when they are judged to have intensified into a tropical storm with winds of at least 65 km/h, (40 mph). The World Meteorological Organisation maintains six alphabetical lists of names which alternate between masculine and feminine and are used on a six-year cycle. Significant tropical cyclones have their names retired from the lists, with a replacement name selected at the next World Meteorological Organisation (WMO) meeting. Why are there no storms for Q, U, X, Y and Z? Is there anything you did not like about this book? Jacob said “I didn’t like it when the people at school were mean.” Which of the characters did you find most interesting? Why?Floella’s father. I have never read a book where the father wants to be a jazz musician.We will only use names that have been officially designated by the National Weather Service in the US. Do other countries around the world use a similar system? Did you learn any new words or facts from this book? Jacob said he didn’t know the word Trinidad. “I know England though because that is where we live.” This is a good book for all ages. The detailed pictures add to the powerful story. Reading this will inspire people to try their hardest and achieve like Floella. What made the history or the time it was set in interesting to you?I had never learnt anything about this history before. Storms will usually be named on the basis of the impacts from strong winds, but the impacts of other weather types will also be considered. For example rain, if its impact could lead to flooding as advised by the Environment Agency, SEPA and Natural Resources Wales flood warnings, or snow. Therefore 'stormsystems' could be named on the basis of impacts from the wind but also include the impacts of rain and snow. How is a storm named?
The naming of storms using a single authoritative system provides a consistent message and aids the communication of approaching severe weather through media partners and other government agencies. In this way the public will be better placed to keep themselves, their property and businesses safe. Can I suggest a storm name? I recommend this picture book to everyone. The vivid illustrations work so well with the writing. You can tell that Floella and Diane Ewen, the illustrator, worked closely together to recreate Floella’s world, making me feel as though I was there with her.
Did you enjoy the book? Explain your answer if it is yes or no.Yes. Floella got to meet the Queen when she was older.
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