Stormzy's #Merky Books announces first illustrated children’s book Superheroes

Superheroes: Inspiring Stories of Secret Strength is a comic strip style children's book that will include 50 British figures chosen by Stormzy and the #Merky Books team.

There will be an introduction by Stormzy in the book, which will feature Superheroes including George The Poet, Riz Ahmed, Rapman, athlete Dina Asher-Smith, comedian Mo Gilligan, writer Candice Carty-Williams, baker Liam Charles, model Jourdan Dunn, scientist Dr Anne-Marie Imafidon, writer/director Reggie Yates, former footballer Ian Wright and many more.

The children's book wants to break the barrier of representation, as according to a press release, only 7% of children’s books published in the UK between 2017-2019 included characters of colour.

Each superhero will have their story and superpower accompanied with words by Sophia Thakur and illustrations by Denzell Dankwah.

We're very excited to announce our first-ever illustrated kids book: SUPERHEROES

Written by @SophiaThakur, illustrated by design student @Denzelld_art + features a special intro by Stormzy

Out 16 September. Pre-order now!https://t.co/w00EHyxp2rhttps://t.co/Elyp5DzMNJ pic.twitter.com/jtv38gcLvu

— #Merky Books (@MerkyBooks) June 29, 2021

Thakur said, "The earliest seeds that are planted often influence the rest of the garden. If from a young age, we only really meet blackness from a position of weakness, of slavery and shootings … stereotypes and racist media … as children, we don't get an opportunity to develop a healthy and confident outlook on what it means to be black. It was important to work on this book to plant a new seed of celebration. Of black excellence into our young minds who will hopefully bloom into their very own superheroes. Confident and powerful."