Book review: How To be Extraordinary by Rashmi Sirdeshpande and illustrated by Annabel Tempest.

How To Be Extraordinary is a brilliant newly published non-fiction read. Author Rashmi Sirdeshpande has written a superb debut picture book. Illustrator Annabel Tempest, whose work include Baby Lit Storybooks, It All Began When I Said Yes and Llmaste and Friends, expressive art work brings the text to life.  Together they have created a super informative read that is engaging, informative and diverse.

There are some brilliant non-fictions reads available now for children but different to those books are the inspirational individuals handpicked for this book, some of which I hadn’t heard of before. I appreciate the diverse range of individuals chosen for this book showing my daughters that regardless of race, ethnicity or gender we can each be extraordinary in our own way.

Each individual discussed in the book has a double page spread seeping in information and fun facts about them alongside detailed, colourful, illustrations. There are 15 true stories of incredible humans in the book including Sir David Attenborough, Nelson Mandela, Keiko Fukda Sensei and Sir Mo Farah.

The book highlights so well that the individuals included in the book have varied skills and that there isn’t a stand alone way of being extraordinary. From great sports people, war surgeons to activists and spies the book certainly opens young readers eyes to an array of occupations.

As well as being a great book for home this would make a fantastic resource in a learning setting. The presentation of the informative storytelling shows young readers that non-fiction is far from boring and that we can learn so much from inspirational individuals.

I am delighted to have this book in our home library.

Disclaimer: I received this book from the publishers. All words and opinions are entirely my own. This post contains affiliate links.