Annemarie Anang

Actor | Singer | Children’s Book Author | Artist 

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PRE-ORDER NOW!

 BUY ANNEMARIE’S

 DEBUT CHILDREN’S BOOK HERE!

I am Nefertiti  £7.99 (Paperback, 2 June 2022)

Written by Annemarie Anang

Illustrated by Natelle Quek

When Nefertiti plays the drums, the band plays as one. "I am Nefertiti" she says, and she feels ten feet tall. But when the new music teacher shortens her name to 'Nef', bit by bit, she starts to shrink. Without Nefertiti to keep the beat, the band is in disarray . . .

"I am Nefertiti!" she whispers to herself. Drawing on her inner strength and with the support of the other children, they help Miss Potts recognise the importance of honouring Nefertiti's name.

Now, when Nefertiti keeps the beat, the music sounds so sweet!  
A heartwarming, joyous, empowering story of identity and belonging.

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Publisher: Five Quills

Publication Date: 2 June 2022

Publishing City/Country: London, UK.

Pages: 32

Language: English

Illustration note: Full colour throughout

ISBN-10 1912923319                    

ISBN-13 978-1912923311

Age 3+

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Bookings

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School Visits & Workshops

Annemarie has worked as a teacher for over 10 years specialising in Primary Education, SEN (Special Educational Needs), TEFL (Teaching English as a Foreign Language), and Drama. She has gained QTS (Qualified Teacher Status), an M.A. in Acting, a B.A. in Classical Studies and a C.E.L.T.A (Certificate in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages). 

BLOG

December 2021 - Annemarie Anang

I am very excited about my debut children’s book: ‘I am Nefertiti’! I can only reveal that it is illustrated by the talented illustrator, Natelle Quek and is being published by Five Quills so watch this space for a cover reveal very soon!

I’m a storyteller and tell stories through a variety of mediums such as acting, singing, songwriting, photography and more recently, children’s picture books. I began writing these on the lengthy journeys in our tour bus, when I was playing Winnie Mandela in theatres across Europe in 2019. I wanted to write so that my daughter could see herself represented as the main character in picture books; a main character that does all the fun, exciting, interesting, hilarious and ambitious things that her white counterparts do. Only "*8% of all children's books published in the UK in 2020 had an ethnic minority main character, compared to 5% in 2019, 4% in 2018 and 1% in 2017."* This minimal upward trend is frustratingly low and doesn’t reflect the UK’s ethnic diversity. As a teacher for 10 years (Early Years, Primary, SEN, TEFL and Drama), I am passionate about ALL children and their wellbeing, understand the impact of seeing themselves reflected in books -  it helps them to grow with confidence and to love and value themselves - vital for healthy development.  ALL children should be able to see themselves reflected in stories and should also be reading about children whose lives are different from their own.  As a storyteller, I’m here to contribute to that change…for the sake of my daughter, the sake of black and brown children, and ultimately, for ALL children. Watch this space for a cover reveal very soon!”

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Annemarie

*CLPE Reflecting Realities - Survey of Ethnic Representation within UK Children’s Literature (November 2021)

About Annemarie

Annemarie began writing for children after struggling to find books for her daughter that featured main characters who reflected the diversity of children in our world. A former primary school teacher, Annemarie’s love for storytelling led her to study acting at The Royal Central School of Speech and Drama in London. She has performed various roles, most recently King Duncan, Lady MacDuff and the Doctor in a multirole performance at the Chiswick Playhouse in London. Annemarie was awarded the 2021SCBWI/BIPOC writer’s scholarship.  A Londoner, born to Ghanaian parents, Annemarie now lives in the Swedish forest with her young daughter, husband and their two adopted cats.

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Awards & Features:

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Featured in Book Brunch: ‘Five Quills signs Annemarie Anang's 'joyful' debut picture book’ 2022

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Winner of the Society of Children’s Books Writers and Illustrators (SCBWI) BIPOC Scholarship 2021

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Featured in Kopperbergarn Swedish Newspaper 2021

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Awarded The South Square Trust Award 2017 

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Featured in The Royal Photography Society Journal May 2015

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Featured in The Telegraph Dec 2014

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Featured on Premier Radio ‘Woman to Woman Hour’ Dec 2014

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Featured in Feature Shoot Nov 2014 

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Featured on BBC Radio 4 ‘You & Yours’ Oct 2014

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Arts Council England 2014

The Elephant Trust 2014 

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Reviews:

“Annemarie Anang as Herod’s wife Herodias was the star of the show, delivering an engaging and multi-layered performance.”  Gay Times, 2019

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“Anang’s depiction of Herodias is by far the most entertaining part of this show as she perfectly presents every side to her malevolent, mordant and maternal character.” A Younger Theatre, 2019

Projects