One of our favourite aspects about this whole project is that it’s a family endeavour: you document the experiences of your family to create your books. Can you tell us a little bit about the inspiration behind the books, as well as the decision to self-publish?

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All of the books I write are inspired by real-life experiences I have had with my daughters and nieces. I am careful to record the children's language as it is, so for example, my daughter asked me:

 

'What is Black Lives Matter?'

 

She didn't say 'what does it mean?'

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I also take images from real life, I take the pictures myself and transform them into a cartoon, and that is how the book comes to life.

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I think all authors or aspiring authors need to be careful with going to publishing agencies because they do promise you a lot in terms of marketing, but they want to take a big percentage, and sometimes your rights away.

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Self publishing is a longer route, but why should you give your rights to your work away?

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Research any contracts you are offered carefully and consider whether self-publishing is a better options.

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What kind of feedback have you received?

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The feedback I have received has been very positive. People have told me that they have been inspired by the books. One of the children I met told me that they want to go to World Book Day as the character from Mummy What Is Black Lives Matter? That made me laugh.

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People have told me that they appreciate the way that the book is written, that their children find it easy to engage with.

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I have been asked to host zoom workshops and do readings at schools, Manchester central library has bought the book.

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What are you planning to write next?

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With the growing awareness of Windrush I want to do a story, a children's book based on the idea of a little girl talking to her Grandmother. The Grandmother character will go into what happened, the journey, the struggle. I want the Grandmother to tell the story to the Granddaughter.

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I want children to be able to understand what Windrush means.