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Strong Like Me

Book Synopsis

A heartwarming picture-book story about finding your own ways to be strong, from writer and social commentator Kelechi Okafor.

Kamara loves being super strong – it makes her feel fizzy and zappy! But her classmates and their negative words lead her to question herself and the confidence she has in her physical ability.

With sport’s day and the Big Race looming, does Kamara have what it takes to reach the finish line?

Strong Like Me is a timely picture-book debut by writer, social commentator and podcast host, Kelechi Okafor. This inspirational story sets out to help children discover their power, champion themselves, and be unapologetically secure in who they are. Packed full of heart, the story opens important conversations around ability, intersectionality, race and identity.

Our Review Panel says...

Strong Like Me is a beautifully illustrated text with a strong female protagonist. The illustrations represent a diverse range of pupils from primary schools across the UK with experiences pupils can relate to such as Sports Day and swimming lessons. The main character, Kamara, has been brought up always believing she is strong in every sense of the word and clearly has strong female role models such as her charismatic Aunt. However, she begins to worry that she shouldn’t be so confident in her strength and the story develops to teach her that everyone shines in different ways and you mustn’t allow others to dim your light. This would be a lovely text to promote SMSC themes and support PSHE lessons in Key Stage One.