by J P Rose
 
Birdie Bagshaw moves from a home for “brown babies” in 1950s Leeds to settle with her white great aunt in a former mining village in Yorkshire. Birdie is not quite who her aunt expected to arrive on her doorstep. And, Barrington Dale and its community is not like any home Birdie might have hoped for. But the appearance of a discarded pit pony leads to a magical relationship which proves transformative in Birdie’s life and her wider environment…
 
Historical fiction which is engrossing for referencing parts of UK history too little explored in children’s books which is then cleverly knitted together to create an evocative backdrop. This includes: societal responses to the “brown babies” born to white British mums and Black GIs during/post World War II; the UK’s mining history; the welfare of pit ponies. Backnotes expand on the historical sources and also include the author’s own personal inspiration for the character of Birdie. 
 
‘I loved this book from cover to cover. Birdie is about Race, racism, family, identity, history, friendship and so much more. It is often a hard read but Birdie’s strength and personality shine throughout’ (Meryl, EY Consultant & Trainer, Letterbox Library reviewer). Age 9-12, Paperback 241pp
 
Themes: Black History