Free to Be Me – Everyday Heroes in Tiny Shoes
16 May 2026 - 12:00
Free to Be Me – Everyday Heroes in Tiny Shoes
Join us for a joyful, heartfelt and empowering family event at this year’s Paisley Book Festival, as beloved local author J.L Givens reunites with illustrator Amelia Mangham for a special shared appearance.
Following the huge success of The Witch & the Snitch – which premiered at Paisley Book Festival in 2025 before going on to be stocked in Waterstones and independent bookshops ‐ the duo return with their most tender and celebratory story yet.
Free to Be Me introduces young readers to a little elephant who feels different from the other boy elephants in his herd. When a rainbow scarf drifts into his life, it sparks a journey of self-discovery, courage and belonging. With the support of his teacher, parent and peers, he learns that being himself is not only enough – it is something to be celebrated.
Through Amelia Mangham’s exquisite watercolour illustrations, the story gently weaves in themes of difference, disability and identity, featuring a beautifully diverse cast: wheelchair-using characters, an autistic bear, a diabetic pig, a monkey with a prosthetic leg and many more. Each character is uniquely wonderful, reflecting the real people and lived experiences that inspired the book.
Following the huge success of The Witch & the Snitch – which premiered at Paisley Book Festival in 2025 before going on to be stocked in Waterstones and independent bookshops ‐ the duo return with their most tender and celebratory story yet.
Free to Be Me introduces young readers to a little elephant who feels different from the other boy elephants in his herd. When a rainbow scarf drifts into his life, it sparks a journey of self-discovery, courage and belonging. With the support of his teacher, parent and peers, he learns that being himself is not only enough – it is something to be celebrated.
Through Amelia Mangham’s exquisite watercolour illustrations, the story gently weaves in themes of difference, disability and identity, featuring a beautifully diverse cast: wheelchair-using characters, an autistic bear, a diabetic pig, a monkey with a prosthetic leg and many more. Each character is uniquely wonderful, reflecting the real people and lived experiences that inspired the book.
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