GRANNY CAME HERE ON THE EMPIRE WINDRUSH

A young Black girl learns about her beloved Trinidadian grandmother’s immigration story.

When Ava must dress as someone she admires for a school project, Granny invites Ava to explore her special trunk. As Granny talks about the contributions of Black women such as singer Winifred Atwell, Ava learns a lot, but none of the suggestions quite fit. But then Ava sees an unfamiliar suitcase. Items in the cardboard case encourage Granny to tell her own story. An empty jar that once held orange peels reminded Granny that the scent of island oranges helped her cope with sea sickness as she sailed on the Empire Windrush, a real-life ship that carried emigrants from the Caribbean to the United Kingdom in the mid-20th century. A pebble helped her recall a swim in the river with her younger sister. Granny speaks of overcoming homesickness and loneliness and finding happiness once she met Ava’s grandfather in her adopted home. Stirred by Granny’s bravery, Ava decides her story is one to celebrate and chooses to share it with her class. Rooted in relatable, concrete details, this uplifting tale centers on a loving intergenerational relationship and illustrates the importance of sharing memories and history. Sucre’s vibrant images make especially vivid use of the color yellow, contributing to the warmth of the narrative. (This book was reviewed digitally.)

A loving family story that pays tribute to the often unseen but no less powerful moments of courage.