Keep Smiling was read out at RGS Guildford Dubai.

Muhammad Yusuf, Features Writer

RGS Guildford Dubai (Royal Grammar School Guildford Dubai) had the honour recently of hosting Baroness Floella Benjamin OM DBE, esteemed actress, presenter, author and children’s advocate, as part of her participation in this year’s Emirates Airline Festival of Literature (EAFL).

During her time at the school, the Baroness embarked on a tour of the campus, with a notable stop at the school’s library. She captivated pupils by providing a reading session with excerpts from her renowned books, Keep Smiling and Coming to England.

Pupils from year groups 3 and 4 had the unique opportunity to interact directly with the Baroness. They asked insightful questions, drawing inspiration from her remarkable career!

Budding young writer Karim Ahmed Siddiqi, a Year 5 pupil, presented his first published book to Baroness Benjamin. At the beginning of 2023, Siddiqi had begun authoring a book called Mystery of Mansions, a cozy mystery story set in 1930s England.

It was published earlier this month. Baroness Floella Benjamin’s illustrious career spans over 53 years, encompassing pivotal roles in iconic British television shows such as Play School and Play Away.

She has made significant contributions to film, theatre and television. Her dedication to children’s welfare and education is seen by her role as Chancellor of the University of Exeter and her advocacy work in the House of Lords, focusing on issues of diversity, equality and children’s rights.

 Baroness Floella Benjamin with young fans.

In 2020, she was awarded a Damehood for her charitable activities, was chair of the Windrush Commemoration Committee, and was honoured by the late Queen Elizabeth II with the Order of Merit, as well as receiving a prestigious appointment at the Coronation of King Charles. Clare Turnbull, Principal, RGS Guildford Dubai, shared her enthusiasm about the visit.

“Hosting Baroness Floella Benjamin was an extraordinary experience for not only the pupils but the whole RGSGD community,” she said. “Her insights into the Windrush Generation and her life’s work resonated deeply with our pupils, highlighting the importance of resilience and embracing diversity. We are thankful to the Emirates Airline Festival of Literature for making this inspiring visit possible, which has left a lasting impression on our young learners.”

Floella Benjamin was born in 1949 in Trinidad and Tobago. Her book Coming to England is a memoir about moving from Trinidad, published in 1997.

It is now used to teach modern history to young people and was made into a television film by CBBC in 2005. (CBBC is a British free-to-air public broadcast children’s television channel owned and operated by the BBC).

Other books written by Benjamin and published by various houses include titles such as Floella’s Fun Book, Why the Agouti Has No Tail, Caribbean Cookery and Snotty and the Rod of Power. Many of her titles are for children and for development.

Coming to England is a story about the triumph of hope, love, and determination and is the inspiring true story of Baroness Floella Benjamin herself: from Trinidad to London as part of the Windrush Generation, to the House of Lords.

The Windrush Generation is named after immigrants from Caribbean who came to the UK abroad the ship HMT Empire Windrush. The Windrush’s arrival has become symbolic of the generation of Commonwealth citizens who came to live in Britain between 1948 and 1971.

Coming to England follows ten-year-old Floella as she and her family set sail from the Caribbean to a new life in London. Alone on a huge ship for two weeks, then tumbling into a cold and unfriendly London, coming to England was not at all what Floella had expected ... What will her new school be like? Will she meet the Queen?

“Filled with optimism and joy, yet deeply personal and relevant, young children will follow Floella’s experiences of moving home and making friends. Alongside vibrant illustrations by Diane Ewen, it is a powerful story that shows little people how courage and determination can always overcome adversity,” says a source.

Keep Smiling is a celebration of the most universal symbol of hope, joy and positivity - a smile! Vina’s Mum has always told her that a smile is the best gift you can give someone. And as Vina loves smiling more than anything else, she gives the gift of her smile to anyone who needs it.

But on her first visit to her new school, Vina’s own smile gets a bit ... lost. She cannot find it under the slide, or on the climbing frame. Then, a smile appears, in the most unexpected place!

In Snotty and the Rod of Power, Snotty Wilson takes no notice of signs. So when he discovers a magical Rod of Power marked Do Not Touch, he simply has to try it! He sets to work destroying the town of Limpsea, unaware that his nasty powers could make the entire Universe disappear ... The Royal Grammar School Guildford Dubai is a British curriculum school for boys and girls aged three to 18 years old.

It opened in 2021 for pupils in Early Years and Prep and in 2022, welcomed pupils up to Senior School. Sister school to the Royal Grammar School Guildford in the UK, RGSGD is located in the Tilal Al Ghaf community development near Dubai’s Motor City. It is owned and funded by Cognita, a global schools group who are establishing a presence in the Middle East with RGSGD as their flagship new school.