A Hero Like Me

A Hero Like Me is a picture book inspired by the events of 7 June 2020, when a statue of seventeenth-century slave trader Edward Colston was pulled down and thrown into Bristol Harbour during an anti-racism protest. Co-author Jen Reid was one of the protesters that day, and despite being afraid of heights, she spontaneously climbed onto the empty plinth and raised her fist high above her head, a moment that was captured on camera and shared around the world. This inspiring picture book tells the story of these events through the eyes of a little girl who, every day, on her way to school, sees a towering statue. She looks for heroes around corners, under rocks, and on TV, but there are none that she can see. And so, the little girl marches and shouts for them instead. A Hero Like Me empowers children to have courage to stand up for what is right and be their own hero, showing them that they have a voice in their community and a say in who is on their streets.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 40 pages
Publication date: 08 June 2023
Publisher: Frances Lincoln Publishers Ltd

Inspired by the real-life events surrounding the statue of a slave trader, its toppling, and heroic replacement, "A Hero Like Me" is a powerful picture book that encourages children to stand up for what is right. The book is based on the events of 7 June 2020, when a statue of seventeenth-century slave trader Edward Colston was pulled down and thrown into Bristol Harbour during an anti-racism protest. Co-author Jen Reid was one of the protesters that day, and despite her fear of heights, she spontaneously climbed onto the empty plinth and raised her fist high above her head, a moment that was captured on camera and shared around the world.

On the morning of 15 July, a statue of Jen by Marc Quinn was added to the empty plinth. Called "A Surge of Power," it gained national attention for the 24 hours it was in place, and beyond.

This inspiring picture book tells the story of these events through the eyes of a little girl who, every day, on her way to school, sees a towering statue. A statue of a man who sold freedom for cotton and tea. The world around her says this man is a hero. But she knows he's not a hero—not a real one.

Heroes are hard to find. She looks for them around corners, under rocks, and on TV, but there are none that she can see. And so, the little girl marches and shouts for them instead. And that statue—he doesn't belong. He doesn't stand for kindness. He doesn't stand for peace. Maybe he shouldn't stand at all.

"A Hero Like Me" empowers children to have the courage to stand up for what is right and be their own hero. It shows every child that they have a voice in their community and a say in who is on their streets. That they too have power, just like Jen.

The book encourages children to question the status quo and to recognize that heroes can come from all walks of life, not just those who wear capes and masks. It also highlights the importance of standing up against injustice and inequality and to be a voice for those who are marginalized and oppressed.

In conclusion, "A Hero Like Me" is a powerful and inspiring picture book that empowers children to stand up for what is right and be their own hero. It is a testament to the power of courage, determination, and the ability to make a difference in the world. By encouraging children to have the courage to speak out and to be their own hero, the book helps to create a more just and equitable society for all.

Weight: 226g
Dimension: 234 x 276 x 6 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780711270411
Edition number: Illustrated Edition