Secretary of State for Northern Ireland offered a children’s book to every child who started school this year

Secretary of State for Northern Ireland Brandon Lewis published a beautifully illustrated children’s picture book which was offered to every child who started P1 in 2021.

Our Wee Place, which was commissioned as part of the Northern Ireland Office’s Our Story in the Making programme to mark Northern Ireland’s Centenary, was delivered to schools, Sure Start centres and libraries across Northern Ireland. The book reflects positively and engages young children on the experience of growing up in Northern Ireland.

The book was produced by established children’s author Sophie Kirtley and emerging illustrator Ellan Rankin, both of whom were born and grew up in Northern Ireland. Both have used their own local knowledge and experience of Northern Ireland in producing the book.

The book was created to sensitively reflect on the experience of growing up in Northern Ireland, drawing on cultural touchpoints, landmarks and traditions that will resonate with children everywhere, irrespective of their background, as they join Emily and her Granda as they journey around Northern Ireland.

Secretary of State for Northern Ireland Brandon Lewis said:

“Our Wee Place is a celebration of Northern Ireland, and I’m extremely proud that we have been able to produce this wonderful book, which tells the story of growing up in Northern Ireland.

“With tens of thousands of books being delivered to schools, Sure Start centres and libraries in time for Christmas, children will be able to read and learn about their home as they follow Emily and her Granda’s adventure around Northern Ireland.

“I want to thank Sophie Kirtley and Ellan Rankin for creating this beautifully well written and illustrated book, which I hope Northern Ireland children and families will really enjoy.”

Author Sophie Kirtley said:

“I was utterly delighted when I was asked to write this book for the children of Northern Ireland; it has been a real honour and a privilege. 

“As a wee girl growing up in Northern Ireland I never really saw places I knew or voices I recognised in any of the books that I read or had read to me - it felt very important to me to address this when I took on the project, and to make sure that the children who read Our Wee Place can see themselves and hear themselves represented in these pages.”

Illustrator of “Our Wee Place” Ellan Rankin said:

“I was so excited to be a part of this project. To be able to draw all the places I love and grew up with - what a treat! I've tried to make something really inclusive that captures our landmarks and the spots we hold dear, while throwing in lots of wee nods to our culture in the process.

“It was really important to me to create something that all of our community would love and relate to, and I hope I've done that. Fingers crossed all the children of Northern Ireland will love it as much as I do!”

Our Wee Place is an inclusive story about the experience of growing up here, and subtly touches on the ideas of resolving conflict and promoting understanding and tolerance.