Children who changed the world: Incredible true stories about children's rights! by Marcia Williams

Walker Books, 2019. ISBN: 9781406384109. 40pp., hbk.
Have you heard of Malala Yousafzai? What about Baruani Ndume? Or Ryan Hreljac?
Forty years ago the UN declared that 1979 was to be the International Year of the Child and as part of that. in 1989, the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child was proclaimed, setting out 54 equally important articles that 196 countries have agreed to follow so that each child, no matter where they live, has the support and protection they deserve.
Using her iconic graphic format, Marcia Williams has explored the lives of 13 children, all born since the Declaration and all of whom have made a significant difference to the lives of the children in their home countries and beyond. Each double spread is devoted to the pivotal work of the child under the banner of one of those UN rights.
Deliberately designed to inform children of their rights, Williams speaks directly to the reader in the introduction and encourages them to not only be aware of those rights but to take action when they see injustice or something that needs changing. With our students being so aware of the global picture these days, and being involved in actions like School Strike 4 Climate this is an important and timely release to help our students know that they can make a difference and will. Perhaps one of them will become the new Greta Thunberg, who has risen to prominence since the book was prepared but who not only deserves a place in it but also demonstrates that kids can be heard and supported and change can happen.
This is a book that needs to be promoted to kids everywhere, to give them inspiration and hope that their voices will be heard.
Barbara Braxton