Floella Benjamin is a much-loved writer, actress and presenter, who was made a Baroness in the House of Lords in 2010 and is an ambassador for the welfare and education of children. This moving and insightful memoir documents her childhood, from her birth in Trinidad in 1949 to her move to Britain in 1960 as part of the Windrush generation, and explores how these experiences have shaped her life. In the UK a storm will be named when it has the potential to cause disruption or damage which could result in an amber or red warning. This is based on our National Severe Weather Warnings service, which is a combination of both the impact the weather may have, and the likelihood of those impacts occurring. Do you know how many days it took in 1960 to travel to grey, dark England from vibrant, warm Trinidad? I would have liked some more detail about how Floella became successful. She wanted to meet the Queen and she did! I would like to know more about this.

They've all seen the Queen, and we had to find an element of how the story can come good, to give people hope. So it was lovely to have the story of me dreaming about meeting the Queen as a young girl, and then eventually meeting her at the end with my Mum and Dad looking on so proudly. I had to go through bad times, but I feel my life is a happy ending so I needed to give the book a happy ending. Those were the stepping stones I used to get through the book, and leave everything else aside. What made the history or the time it was set interesting? Jacob said he liked the book “my teacher sent me this because we are learning about different people.” What most stands out for you from the book?When Floella was older her dream came true and she got to meet the Queen. Was the plot exciting, thought provoking, serious or light hearted?It was a serious, interesting book about Floella going to England. Small ideas can resonate through everything': Poet Steven Camden introduces the books shortlisted for the CLPE Children's Poetry PrizeDid you learn any new words or facts from this book? Jacob said he didn’t know the word Trinidad. “I know England though because that is where we live.” Her story really has power. The young Floella wants to meet the Queen, little does she know, she will grow up to meet the Queen! Was the plot exciting, thought-provoking, serious or light-hearted (or any mixture of these)?At first it was sad because Floella’s dad had to leave. Then their mum left and they were babysat by their evil aunt. It was happy when the family got together again. Which of the characters (if any) you did not like. Why?The mean aunt. She did not let Floella and Sandra play. Historian David Olusoga reads Coming to England, the true story of Baroness Floella Benjamin's journey from Trinidad to London in 1960.

Coming to England – An Inspiring True Story Celebrating the Windrush Generation by Floella Benjamin and illustrated by Diane Ewen is published by Macmillan Children's Books on 8 October. To avoid any confusion over naming, if a storm is the remnants of a tropical storm or hurricane that has moved across the Atlantic, the name would not be changed and would follow the established method of being referred to as 'ex-hurricane Ophelia' for example.People who qualify as fully vaccinated for travel to England can book a lateral flow test for use from 24 October instead of a PCR test. Which of the characters did you find most interesting and why?Jacob liked Dardie the best because “he could play the saxophone.” From 4am, Tuesday 7 December all people aged 12 years and over must also take a PCR or LFD COVID-19 test before they travel to England from abroad. Would you recommend this book? Jacob said “Miss Worrall will like this book because we are learning about different skin colours at school.”