The artist Carol Birch has produced beautiful and realistically detailed watercolours. The illustrations in this picture book are stunning. And it does this in an imaginative way we are carried along with Grace's fantasies. It demonstrates to little children how important is to respect the individual, and also the principle of social justice, regardless of gender, race or culture. It also contains a great message about a supportive family, and how Grace herself is encouraged to share her talents with others, for their enjoyment. Grace features in all of them, and in this one we first met the little girl whose strength of character, positive attitude and natural talent for drama carry her through to achieve great things. The story ends with Nana's wise words, 'If Grace put her mind to it, she can do anything she want.'Īmazing Grace was written by Mary Hoffman in 1991, and was so popular that it sparked off an entire series. And when the day of the performance comes, Grace is a real star, making a truly amazing Peter Pan. There is no question about it they have to vote for her. She is so confident that she feels as if she can fly! Encouraged and empowered by what she has heard and seen, she simply excels, stunning everyone. Of course at the auditions Grace gives a magnificent performance. ''I can be anything I want,' she thought. She becomes Juliet in her mind and imagination. The starring role is taken by a black ballerina! Her Nana tells her that this is Rosalie, the granddaughter of a good friend from back home in Trinidad.Īfter the performance Grace is inspired. She takes Grace to see a new ballet of 'Romeo and Juliet'. 'You can be anything you want Grace, if you put your mind to it.' Her mother becomes angry, but her Nana is more philosophical, insisting, Grace becomes very dispirited by their attitudes, and at home tells her mother and Nana what the others had said. She didn't look like Joan of Arc or Hiawatha either. However can she be Peter? She looks nothing like him. she is Peter! But the other children scoff. Immediately Grace becomes Peter in her mind. This idea is so exciting for Grace, and really fires up her imagination.

One day at school her teacher tells the class that they will be performing a play about Peter Pan. and many more wonderful storybook characters. We see her pretending to be Joan of Arc, Anasi the spiderman, Mowgli, Hannibal with his elephants. She loves to to act them out, constantly adopting the roles she reads about. If you stay true to yourself, you can be whatever you want to be, regardless of what other people say.īecause Grace is a little girl who loves to imagine things, she 'lives' her stories. And the message is, to follow your dreams. It is full of optimism a book with a message. From this simple sentence Mary Hoffman goes on to write an inspiring and positive picture book for young children.

Amazing Grace by Mary Hoffman