Nosy Crow will publish historical picture book for National Windrush Day

Nosy Crow has acquired Granny Came to England on the Empire Windrush by Patrice Lawrence. 

All language world rights were acquired from Caroline Sheldon of the Caroline Sheldon Literary Agency. The book will be published in hardback and paperback in May 2022, to tie in with events for National Windrush Day in June 2022.

In Granny Came to England on the Empire Windrush, Granny is telling Ava about how she came to England on the "Windrush" in 1948, built a life for herself and was determined to stay despite her homesickness. Granny also references other historical events and figures in the book such as Rosa Parks and Winifred Atwell, so that Ava can understand the scope and scale of her heritage. 

Louise Bolongaro, head of picture books, commented: "I have long been a fan of Patrice’s powerful writing. Her words, and the feelings they evoke, stay with you, and I have always hoped that, maybe one day, she might write a picture book for Nosy Crow. Her vibrant and vital tale of Ava and her beloved Granny who arrived on Windrush, is more than I could have possibly hoped for." She added: "The result is a story with great heart and soul and we couldn’t be more honoured or privileged to publish it on the Nosy Crow list."
 
Lawrence added: "I am proud to write the book that I wish I'd owned as a child, especially when I was made to feel I didn't belong in England. The struggles and achievements of the 'Windrush' generation must never be forgotten."

Sheldon said: "This is a truly wonderful story of a journey that packs an enormous emotional punch and has a knock-out end that moved me to tears. I cannot wait to hold the physical book in my hands."

Lawrence contributed to Make More Noise! (2018), Nosy Crow’s short story collection celebrating 100 years of women’s suffrage in the UK. She has also published a YA novel, Orangeboy (Hodder Children's, 2016), which was shortlisted for the YA Book Prize.