FLOELLA BENJAMIN

Winner at the 2022 Parlimentary Book AwardsBaroness Floella Benjamin is an inspiration, an actress and much-loved children's television presenter who is a member of the House of Lords. But how did the girl from Trinidad end up lunching with the Queen?In What Are You Doing Here? Floella describes arriving in London as a child, part of the Windrush generation, and the pain caused by the racism she encountered every day. It was offset by the love of her parents, who gave her the pride in her heritage, self-belief and confidence that have carried her through life.

When Floella Benjamin first came to England from Trinidad in the early sixties she hadnt seen her parents for fifteen months. At first, the joy of being reunited with her mother left Floella too overwhelmed to care about the cold weather, and the noise and dirt of the traffic in London. Compared to this, Trinidad had been a paradise. But when she started school, Floella was shocked and upset by the taunting and rejection she faced. She soon realized that the only way to survive was to be twice as good as anyone else.

Keep Smiling is a celebration of the most universal symbol of hope, joy and positivity - a smile! Created by the bestselling team behind Coming to England: the inspirational Dame Floella Benjamin, and award-winning illustrator Diane Ewen.Vinas Mum has always told her that a smile is the best gift you can give someone. And as Vina loves smiling more than anything else, she gives the gift of her smile to anyone who needs it. But on her first visit to her new school, Vinas own smile gets a bit . . . lost. She cant find it under the slide, or on the climbing frame. Then, a smile appears, in the most unexpected place!

A picture book story about the triumph of hope, love, and determination,Coming to England is the inspiring true story of Baroness Floella Benjamin: from Trinidad, to London as part of the Windrush generation, to the House of Lords.When she was ten years old, Floella Benjamin, along with her older sister and two younger brothers, set sail from Trinidad to London, to be reunited with the rest of their family. Alone on a huge ship for two weeks, then tumbled into a cold and unfriendly London, coming to England wasnt at all what Floella had expected.Coming to England is both deeply personal and universally relevant Floellas experiences of moving home and making friends will resonate with young children, who will be inspired by her trademark optimism and joy. This is a true story with a powerful message: that courage and determination can always overcome adversity.

Dame Floella Benjamins classic childhood memoir, Coming to England, is an inspirational story and a powerful reminder that courage and determination can overcome adversity. Includes a foreword by the author and some additional historical information. It is beautifully illustrated by Michael Frith.Floella Benjamin was just a young girl when she, her sister and two brothers arrived in England in 1960 to join their parents, whom they had not seen for fifteen months. They had left the island paradise of Trinidad to make a new home in London part of a whole generation of West Indians who were encouraged to move to Britain and help rebuild the country after the Second World War. Reunited with her mother, Floella was too overwhelmed at first to care about the cold weather and the noise and dirt from the traffic. But, as her new life began, she was shocked and distressed by the rejection she experienced. She soon realized that the only way to survive was to work twice as hard and be twice as good as anyone else.

Winner at the 2022 Parlimentary Book AwardsBaroness Floella Benjamin is an inspiration, an actress and much-loved childrens television presenter who is a member of the House of Lords. But how did the girl from Trinidad end up lunching with the Queen?In What Are You Doing Here? Floella describes arriving in London as a child, part of the Windrush generation, and the pain caused by the racism she encountered every day. It was offset by the love of her parents, who gave her the pride in her heritage, self-belief and confidence that have carried her through life. From winning a role in groundbreaking musical Hair (while clearly stating she would not take her clothes off) to breaking down barriers on Play School, from refusing to be typecast in roles to speaking out for diversity at the BBC and BAFTA, she has remained true to herself.She also reveals how she met husband Keith, became a mother of two, was befriended by Kenneth Williams, hugged President Obama, and found a purpose that would underpin everything she did campaigning for the needs of children. Sharing the lessons she has learned, imbued with her joy and positivity, this autobiography is the moving testimony of a remarkable woman.