Robbie’s Inspiration – Book reviews: I am me books 1 and 2 by Sue Hampton

The blurb

Berkhamsted charity People not Borders presents a beautiful picture book for pre-school and KS1 (and beyond). Gently, and with exquisite textile illustrations, “I am Me” explores the experience of a child refugee leaving home and arriving in the U.K.

More about Sue Hampton and her books
More about People Not Borders

My review

I am me is a heart warming story about a family of refugees arriving in the UK. Everything is strange and different from the food to the language, to the weather.

“We’re learning how to make safe trips

on buses, and use English money.

Someday the weather might be sunny.”

The book is written in rhyming verse and the language is rich but simple enough for a child to enjoy. The illustrations are beautiful, made from fabric and a perfect compliment for the story.

This book is a wonderful way to teach young children about refugees and help them gain understanding and compassion.

Purchase I am me

TSL Publications

Lulu (ebook)

Audio

All the proceeds from this book go to support the work of People Without Borders.

Blurb

Berkhamsted charity People not Borders presents a beautiful picture book for children and adults. Gently, and with warmth, I am me 2 explores the experience of a child living in a refugee camp. All profits will be used to fund the work of Herts for Refugees, the charity with which People not Borders has now joined.

More about Sue Hampton and her books
More about People Not Borders

My review

This second I am me book even more compelling than the first one. Also written in rhyming verse, it tells the story of children who have walked with their families to the port and travelled across the ocean to Europe in the home of finding sanctuary from the war in their homeland.

On arrival, they are put in refugee camps where they live behind wire fences, separated from society. The children remain hopeful and try to make the most of their lives and uplift their parents.

“I didn’t know there’d be a wall

of wire – all around, and tall.”

The pictures in this book consist of photographs of children in refugee camps. They are heart wrenching but appropriate for children. The pictures are by Abdulazez Dukhan, Through Refugee Eyes. https://www.facebook.com/throughrefugeeeyes

Purchase I am me 2

TSL Books

Lulu

All of the proceeds from this book go to fund Herts for Refugees.

About Sue Hampton

Sue Hampton writes for adults as well as children and teenagers, and across genres. An ex-teacher, she was inspired by the stories of Michael Morpurgo, because she witnessed their emotional power over young readers. Like him, she aims to write deep, compelling novels that will make people think and feel.

Now a full-time author, Sue visits schools of all kinds and works with young people of all ages. Many of her passions can be detected in her novels, which are all different, (some historical, one futuristic, one magical and funny) but have in common themes like love, courage, freedom and our right to be different.

Sue herself looks a little different from most women because she has alopecia, having lost all her hair in 1981. After writing THE WATERHOUSE GIRL about a girl with alopecia, she began going bareheaded and feels strangely liberated even though it isn’t easy. As an Ambassador for Alopecia UK she supports others with hair loss and led a team on Eggheads, winning £29K for the charity.

Sue also lectures on the importance of fiction in school.

Describe Sue in three adjectives? Passionate, individual and idealistic. Describe her novels in three adjectives? Powerful, “beautifully written” (says Michael Morpurgo of THE WATERHOUSE GIRL) and challenging. TRACES made the top three in The People’s Book Prize 2012 and FRANK won bronze in The Wishing Shelf award 2013. Her adult work includes FLASHBACK AND PURPLE, ARIA and two short story collections, RAVELLED and WOKEN, and she now has a picture book for pre-school – Y2: I AM ME for People not Borders.