While I don’t talk about it much on the blog, I am most definitely a feminist and quite politically minded.  This year, the UK celebrates 90 years since the Representation of the People Act 1928 which gave all men and women 21 and over equal right to vote.

For women, it was a long time coming.  Many put their lives on the line and, for that, I am eternally grateful.  It’s why I will never not vote, not when the battle was so hard won.  And it’s why it’s important to me my daughter understands just who has come before her and what they achieved. 

Suffragette by David Roberts seemed like a good way to help her develop that understanding.  A children’s book that presents the story of the suffragettes in a way that is easy for her to understand and that she can relate to.  Technically, she’s still too young for the book by a few years (it’s aimed at those 12+) but she quite an advanced reader and, as we were reading it together, I thought it would probably be o.k.

Thankfully, it was.  This book doesn’t dumb anything down but it is written in clear, direct language that meant she could follow the story.  It has great illustrations too, which kept her interested, and a potted timeline of all the women and men who fought for the right to vote – and those that opposed it.  Many of these were people I hadn’t heard about myself, so it was a good learning experience for me too.

In fact, I’ve since shared it with other parents I know, because I think it’s such a powerful story and the more young girls who hear it before they become women, the better.  Highly recommended.

Emma x

About the book…

An exquisitely illustrated history of the women’s suffrage movement, created by the New York Times bestselling David Roberts and introduced by BBC presenter Lauren Laverne.

The year 2018 marks a century since the first women won the vote in the United Kingdom, and Suffragette tells the story of their fight. This is a tale of astounding bravery, ingenuity and strength.

David’s writing is accessible and his artwork full of rich detail, bringing to life the many vivid characters of the women’s suffrage movement – from the militant activist and wheelchair user Rosa May Billinghurst to the world-famous Emmeline Pankhurst, Millicent Fawcett and Emily Wilding Davison.

Covering the whole range of female and male suffragist experiences – from aristocrats to the middle and working class as well as a look at the global struggle for universal suffrage, Suffragette: The Battle for Equality makes a fantastic introduction to a fascinating topic. David Roberts’ exquisite artwork and clear, exceptionally well-researched text make this the perfect gift.

This 128 page book is fully colour illustrated on every page, and has been completed with advice from June Purvis, Emeritus Professor of Women’s and Gender History at the University of Portsmouth.

Publisher: Pan MacMillan
Publication Date: 31st May, 2018
Number of pages: 128
Genre: Non-fiction, children’s non-fiction
Rating:  5 out of 5

Find on: Amazon UK / Amazon US

Note: I received a copy of this book in return for a fair and honest review.  All thoughts, feelings and opinions are my own.