What makes a good conversation? Is it about a compelling topic or clever language? Or does tackling a pressing issue make us want to join in and share our views as well? Not sure there is a straightforward answer to the opening question but let’s remember that actually, a conversation…

One of the biggest bugbears for us here at Essential Curriculum, is when people talk about Africa as if it were a country. It is a continent of 54 countries, each with a long and complex history, each with multiple cultures and ethnicities and in fact many of the countries…

Anyone who has spent time in a library is familiar with the complex art of categorising and searching for books. If only it were as simple as fiction and non-fiction. But that would be boring wouldn’t it? …

It is sometimes challenging to look for the positive elements in a story but we are increasingly craving happy and inspiring news, especially during this very unusual time in 2020. Maybe it is only a perception, but information that seems to spread quickly somehow seems to skew towards the frightening…

One of the ways you can tell a book is special is when it helps you connect with other people. …

Joined Up thinking At Essential Curriculum, we are all about promoting books by Black authors. That is our objective. It just felt like stories about Black people were not always OUR stories, not for us or by us. In fact that wasn’t true, it was just a matter of persepctive…

Music is a powerful way to unite people. Soul music by its very definition comes from deep within, and the late Aretha Franklin was the undisputed Queen, blessed with a voice and talent that injected meaning into every note she sang. Born in Detroit, the Motor City, her phenomenal talent…