By Shelina Janmohamed (author) , Laura Greenan (illustrator)
"This thorough, thought-provoking account of the British Empire will revolutionise the way children engage with history, reflect on our present-day world, and their think about their futures"
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November 2023 Book of the Month
What a brilliant book. Engaging, illuminating, and an invaluable toolkit for understanding Britain, the world, and for shaping the future, Shelina Janmohamed’s Story of Now looks set to shake up how young readers understand Britain, and the value of understanding the past more generally.
Framed in the context of not being a history book — rather, it’s about “making sense of the world we live in: who we are, what is our place in it, how did we come to be the people we are, and what does this all mean for our future?” — Story of Now reveals the impact of the British Empire across the entire world, across classes, across every aspect of life. After examining the reasons countries establish empires (among them wealth, power, influence, control, discovery, subjugation, and safeguarding self-interest), the author traces the 400-year history of the British Empire from Queen Elizabeth I’s founding of the East India Company, through to the empire’s on-going legacies.
Janmohamed has a real knack for explaining complex subjects, such as how trade and wealth work, the two stories of slavery (“the story of making money, and the story of the people who were enslaved”), and how Britain’s rich, ruling class — in whose hands the Empire was moulded — manipulated the working class to “overlook their own exploitation.”
The book’s style is akin to listening to a wise, passionate teacher who knows her subject inside out, and knows exactly how to engage young minds. For example, after sharing information and multiple perspectives, Story of Now poses questions, and invites discussions that will spark readers to probe deeper and question how stories are told.
In turn, this promotes agile thinking. One powerful example of this comes when readers are asked to consider: “what really was the difference between a privateer and a pirate?” In a word, nothing, expect the plundering activities of the former were sanctioned by the queen!
It’s also packed with memorable facts — some horrifying, some inspiring, and others baffling. For example, children were enslaved in British households from the 16th-century. The 1888 strike of 1400 exploited match girls sparked transformative protests that gave rise to the labour movement. And who knew pineapples once cost the equivalent of £6000 and rich folks rented them for a night to show off to their friends?!
The concluding chapters ask readers to think about what Britishness is, and the countless ways people choose to define Britishness. And then comes an invitation to write your own story, in order “to build our future history.” Honest, enlightening, and perfectly tailored to young readers, Story of Now is an essential read.
This is not a history book It is the story of NOW
Think the British Empire is ancient history? Think again.
It's time to tell you an unbelievable story. One that spans more than 400 years and influences the world as you know it.
Instead of endless lists of Kings and Queens, battles and dates, this book introduces you to some of the hottest topics, ideas and experiences of real people. You will discover the forces behind the biggest empire of all time and you'll answer some BIG questions. Like what does it MEAN to be British? What do people BELIEVE in? What makes us the country we are and WHY? Big questions, so how do we find the answers?
Let's start by hearing from real children all over the world; children who may have lived at different times, had different experiences, skin colours and religions BUT they have one thing in common (and so do you!) - the BRITISH EMPIRE. Discover how the British Empire impacted countries and communities across the world and, most importantly, discover its impact on children like you!
Be a part of writing our future history, and unearth the most incredible story of all - your own!
Shelina Janmohamed works in the advertising industry, helping some of the world's biggest and best known brands. She is also a newspaper columnist writing for outlets such as the Guardian, the Telegraph and the BBC. But while hiding under her superhero's headscarf, she became an accidental author writing about some of the most important topics facing girls and women today. Like who we are, our place in the world, and most importantly how to decide things for ourselves.
A graduate of Oxford University, a bestselling non-fiction author and a global expert on women's representation, Shelina is a familiar voice on radio and TV. She is happiest when sipping cappuccino and munching on white chocolate chip cookies. She lives in London with her husband and two daughters.
Check her out on Instagram @LoveInaHeadscarf
https://www.howtobeyoutiful.com
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This is not a history bookIt is the story of NOW Think the British Empire is ancient history? Think again.
The LoveReading4Kids Editorial Team have read and reviewed Story of Now and determined it is suitable for children aged 9-14 years old
Story of Now features in the following genres: Books of the Month, Recommendations, Featured Books for 13+ readers, Featured Books for 9+ readers, History, Children’s / Teenage: General interest, Children’s, Teenage and Educational, People / Places, Politics, Law, Philosophy & Ethics, Work / Industry, Star Books, Featured Books for 11+ readers
Paperback. £8.99, down from the £9.99 cover price. In Stock.
Story of Now was written by Shelina Janmohamed and published by Welbeck Flame an imprint of Welbeck Publishing Group
Story of Now has 264 pages
£8.99, reduced from £9.99. In Stock.
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