I AM
Lenny Brown
About the
Book
There's more than one way to find your voice...
Lenny Brown is eight years old and can’t talk. Except to his mum and his dog, Rocky.
When Lenny has to move house and start at a new school, it feels like his whole life is changing, and not for the better. Will he be able to make friends and find a way to fit in?
But when Lenny finds a different way to express himself, everyone is in for a big surprise as they find out just how amazing he can be…
A landmark inclusive story
Q&A With
Dan
Dan’s brand new book, I Am Lenny Brown will be published by Puffin in June.
We caught up with Dan so he could tell us all about it.
Dan tell us what I Am Lenny Brown is about?
Well, Lenny Brown is amazing young man. He can’t speak when he’s at school. At home, when he’s with his mum and his dog, Rocky, he’s a big character but at school, the words won’t come out.
Which is why moving to a new school is going to be one of the biggest challenges of his life. More than anything, Lenny wants to feel accepted and he’d love to make friends – especially with Layla, the coolest girl in his class. So when Lenny finds a new way to express himself, it’s a complete game-changer.
The book is wonderfully illustrated by Kajsa Hallström, who I must thank for bringing Lenny to life so beautifully.
It’s a story about making friends, firstly with yourself – and also about how sport can help us to express ourselves and provide a bridge for us to make connections. I hope the book can help young people understand what might be going on in their friends’ lives and maybe also help people with similar challenges to Lenny.
It would be great if this can be the right book at the right time, especially for the kids who missed a vital part of their social development during lockdown.
And what age is I Am Lenny Brown aimed at?
When I originally wrote Lenny during lockdown (though the idea has been in my mind for about ten years), I thought it would be for 7-9 year olds, but, the more I talk to teachers, librarians and therapists, the more I’m hearing about children having challenges with anxiety and communication.
It’s a theme that is coming through so consistently, much of it down to Covid. On that basis, I now think Lenny could be really helpful for many 10 and 11 year olds too – especially the new Year 7s as they make that huge leap to secondary school.
I would love to know what you think? Do use the content function to let me know your thoughts.
If you have a chance to read the book, I really hope you enjoy it.
Lenny is looking forward to meeting you.
Discover More About
Dan Freedman
Author
Creator of Jamie Johnson, author of Unstoppable and trying his hand at poetry too...
Speaker
Dan gives inspiring talks to schools, football clubs and corporations across the UK and America.
Ambassador
Partnerships include Premier League Primary Stars, Wicked Young Writer Awards and Youth Sport Trust.
I Am Lenny Brown
VIDEOS
I AM Lenny Brown
