Mrs Williams Recommends - Black History Month
Welcome to this week’s Reading Recommendations
Currently, here at Wrekin Prep, we are celebrating Black History Month and using our History and English lessons to celebrate the wonderful creations of a variety of poets. To mark the occasion, I have compiled a list of recommended reads that I hope you will enjoy. From uplifting family stories in Early Years to powerful historical adventures in Upper School, these books highlight incredible Black figures, heritage, and stories of resilience and ambition. We hope you enjoy sharing these brilliant titles with your children at home.
Reception
Full, Full, Full of Love by Trish Cooke - A warm and rhythmic picture book celebrating Jay Jay’s Sunday dinner at his Grandma’s house. It provides EYFS children with a delightful, relatable window into family life, food, and love.
Year 1
My Beautiful Voice by Joseph Coelho - Written by former UK Children's Laureate Joseph Coelho, this touching story follows a quiet child who finds her confidence through writing and reciting poetry in class. It is a wonderful introduction to the power of words for our younger children:
Year 2
Look Up! by Nathan Bryon - Following Rocket, a science-loving girl determined to get her community to look up at a meteor shower, this story celebrates curiosity, determination, and dreaming big.
Years 3 & 4
Coming to England by Floella Benjamin - Baroness Floella Benjamin's own account of travelling from Trinidad to London as a child. It deals with the challenges of moving to a new country and facing prejudice with optimism and resilience.
Funky Chickens by Benjamin Zephaniah - A classic, high-energy collection from one of Britain’s most celebrated performance poets. Packed with rhythm, humour, and social commentary, it is an ideal gateway for pupils to explore read-aloud verse and performance poetry.
Years 5 & 6
The Door That Led to Nowhere by Joseph Coelho - Written entirely in verse, this gripping adventure follows a boy named Theo who discovers a mystery that spans time and space. The accessible verse structure makes it an engaging read for all abilities in UKS2 while exploring themes of self-identity.
Windrush Child by Benjamin Zephaniah - Written with Zephaniah's signature lyrical storytelling style, this novel follows ten-year-old Leonard, who moves from Jamaica to England in 1960. It offers readers an authentic, empathetic look at the Windrush generation's experiences, challenges, and lasting legacy in Britain.