Soon after, Grace's grandmother takes her to the ballet to see an African American ballerina play Juliet in Romeo and Juliet.

'You can be anything you want, Grace, if you put your mind to it,' her grandmother says. When Grace goes home and tells her mother and grandmother what happened at school, they tell her that she can be Peter Pan if she wants to do so. He isn't black.' But Grace keeps her hand up to indicate that she wants to play this role. One student tells her, 'You can't be Peter - that's a boy's name.' And then another student informs her, 'You can't be Peter Pan. Filled with fantasy and breathtaking flair, Grace decides that she will play the part of Peter Pan when her teacher tells the class that they are going to act the play. Mary Hoffman's 1991 picture book Amazing Grace tells the story of Grace, who loves stories and especially loves acting them out. Remarkable watercolor illustrations give full expression to Grace's high-flying fantasy. So when she gets an opportunity to play a part in Peter Pan, she knows exactly who she wants to be.

This post contains affiliate links.Grace loves stories, whether they're from books, movies, or the kind her grandmother tells. This is a brilliant book, sharing that we are more alike then different but also encouraging discussions about race, and about not letting go of those aspirations no matter what people say.ĭisclaimer: I received this book from the publishers for the purpose of review. The illustrations are warm and realistic, so talented. They beautifully share Grace and her family, her school setting and the joy that acting brings Grace. This book is an award winning read, raising issues that do I need to say, are still prevalent today, thirty years on.Ĭaroline Binch’s illustrations are timeless. Nana though is the one that shares wise words with her granddaughter and gently explains to Grace that you can do whatever you want, “…if you put your mind to it.” Grace’s family, which consists of her ma and nana, another unique aspect of the book for its time, sharing a single family, are evidently upset. However, her classmates declare that she can’t be Peter Pan, because she is a girl and she also can’t be Peter Pan, because she is black. She is imaginative and fun and when school announce they are to perform Peter Pan, Grace couldn’t be more excited. The book is based on Grace who is passionate about acting and pantomime. The author Mary Hoffman has always believed that “…all stories are for all people.” She received some criticism for being white and writing about a black girl but Hoffman’s aim was clear, she wanted all children to see themselves in books. It’s been thirty years since Amazing Grace was first published.

Amazing Grace by Mary Hoffman