A very special choice
This is perhaps an unexpected book choice for me: populist, uber-accessible, non-fiction. Yet it is one of the most important children’s books of this year, and indeed of many years. I cannot but add my small voice to that of the many who have already said so. This is a book that needs the support of us all.
You Are a Champion is important because it is out there - and out there with Marcus Rashford’s name and photo on the cover. Role models are of huge significance to children and Marcus Rashford has successfully established himself as a role model for enormous numbers of children; particularly black children, but also white; particularly boys, but also girls; particularly the sporty, but also the non-sporty. That such a person is clearly and strongly associating himself with the message in this book is unspeakably wonderful. These are some of the most important things that can be said to children. It doesn’t matter that they have been said countless times before, over years, indeed centuries. Many children will now hear them afresh. Yet it must be remembered that, as with many self-help and self-improvement books, simply writing these truths down, or even reading them, does not make them happen. It certainly does not make them happen easily. There can be an enormous journey between understanding their meaning on paper and understanding their meaning in life. For this reason the book is perhaps just as important for adults as for children, as a clear reminder of the messages we need to be constantly giving in the things we say to children, in the way we behave towards then and the way we react to them. However such a book can also ignite sparks, and that is a great thing in itself. He and his co-author, Carl Anka, are to be sincerely thanked. Marcus Rashford himself also clearly identifies one of the most important routes to making these ideals a reality for children:
‘For me, learning how to believe in myself came when I started reading books; it showed me how to explore the possibilities within myself. One thing I love about books is how every person can take something different from them. Books are powerful because they allow you to dream about different worlds and to look at things in different ways.’
Enough said.