BIRDIE BY J. P ROSE
Illustrations by Keith Robinson
Paperback published by Andersen Press 3rd October 2024
ISBN 9781839232414
Birdie Bagshaw has never known her parents. Having grown up in a children’s home for mixed race children in 1950s Leeds, now she has come to live with her great-aunt in the Yorkshire Dales. From her arrival, Birdie is treated like an outsider by the local children. When their bullying drives Birdie to hide in the nearby coal mine, she finds an unexpected rescuer in the form of Mr Duke, the last remaining pit pony in the village. As the weeks pass, Birdie forms a special bond with the spirited little pony. But his future is in danger, and Birdie comes up with a daring plan to save his life in return . . .
MY REVIEW
What I particularly loved about this story is that author Jacqui Rose has taken the inspiration from her own past to adapt one the best stories that I have read about being fostered. My favourite lines from chapter 6 page 21 Birdie quickly followed her aunt to the end of the black-and-red quarry-tiled hallway. The door opened with a creak into a small tidy backroom, and Birdie’s gaze took it all in. A chipped stone hearth nursed a coal fire where orange and yellow flames danced without vigour, whilst a chair covered in a brown crocheted blanket sat empty and alone in the corner. Faded newspaper was taped to the tiny windowpanes to keep in the heat, and the grandfather clock ticked slowly and miserably as it stood to attention on the other side of the room. Even though they were in the Dales, and Leeds wasn’t so very far, it felt like a whole ocean away from the children’s home she’d just come from. This story set in Yorkshire is perfect for middle grade readers, and bloggers that love reading stories that will capture your heart. Birdie Bagshaw has been through so much being in a home, and experiencing bullying. It’s amazing how Children often bond with animals, and Birdie has a heart of gold she shows love, and care for a little pony. I don’t want to give too much away in what Birdie does to help this lovely little pony. This story may tug on your heart, but it absolutely adorable, in many ways. The cover is absolutely beautiful! My special thanks to Walker Books for arranging for this lovely book to be sent to me to review.
About author Jacqui P. Rose
J. P. Rose was born in Manchester, adopted early and grew up in the Yorkshire countryside where racial tolerance ‘wasn’t even a concept’. Feeling isolated, it was animals and writing stories which kept her company. Today, J.P. is the bestselling author of over 14 adult crime novels. As a Black author with dual heritage, her passion to smash down barriers and to tell stories to ensure that all children see themselves reflected in the books they read has never left her.
I was born in the bustling city of Manchester back in the 1970s but when I was just a tiny baby, my mum couldn’t look after me, so I needed to find a new family. However, back then things were very different and the grown-ups had a hard time finding me a permanent home as I was a child of colour and they couldn’t find a family who wanted to take me. They even stamped “hard to place” in big red letters across my foster care file!
After bouncing between different foster families, something magical happened. A kind and loving family from Yorkshire opened their hearts and their home to me. Just like that, this “hard to place” baby found her forever family!
My parents were loving and kind but starting school in a small mining village wasn’t easy. I looked different from the other children, and sometimes that made me feel like I didn’t quite fit in. But then, two wonderful things happened, I started writing stories and creating worlds where I felt safe and happy, and I also met Wild Sun, a scruffy little pony who lived in a nearby farmer’s field. Wild Sun became my four-legged best friend. The kind farmer who owned him let me ride whenever I wanted. It was like a dream come true! I loved Wild Sun so much that I decided to learn how to ride properly. That scraggly pony in a farmer’s field sparked a lifelong passion of horses and animals for me.
When I sit down to write stories now, I often think back to that little girl who found her place in the world thanks to a loving family, writing and a shaggy pony named Wild Sun.
Being adopted and growing up in a family that looked different from me wasn’t always easy, but it taught me so much about love, acceptance, and the true meaning of family. My experiences have shaped me into the person and writer I am today.
I’m proud of my background, my northern roots, and the journey that brought me here. Through my stories, I hope to share the magic of finding where you belong, no matter who you are or where you come from. https://www.instagram.com/jprosewriter https://www.twitter.com/jprosewriter https://jprosewriter.com/
