In a world as diverse as ours is, the stories we tell our children should reflect the beautiful multi-layered and multi-layered complexity of humanity. Yet, if you walk through the aisles of a bookshop, or browse online stores, it quickly becomes apparent that not all stories are given equal shelf space.
Different Kinds of Books
Some parents or guardians routinely read bedtime stories to their children from infancy, introducing them to different kinds of books. By the time these children enter preschool, they have already begun developing crucial reading skills, understanding how to hold a book, recognising the elements of cover, title, author, and illustrator - and learning how to turn the pages. These early literacy skills lay the foundations for becoming proficient readers. The same can be held true using a tablet, ipad or phone.
The Matthew Effect
However, an important question emerges: what kinds of books are these children encountering in their formative years as emerging readers? Are the books reflective of the diversity and richness of the world around them? Do they authentically represent different cultures, experiences, and communities? This question ties directly into the 'Matthew Effect', a concept suggesting that early advantages compound over time, with the 'rich getting richer' in terms of knowledge and skills. Children who have early and sustained access to written works gain a significant head start in reading proficiency and comprehension. Exposing these children to books that represent a broad range of perspectives and experiences enhances the benefits even further. The literature they encounter not only enhances their literacy skills but also helps them develop a more nuanced understanding of the world. On the other hand, children with limited access to representative books may miss out on this dual opportunity for both literacy development and cultural awareness. This imbalance in exposure can lead to a widening gap in both reading ability and social understanding, perpetuating inequalities. Therefore, the types of books available to children at the earliest stages of learning can play a crucial role in either reinforcing or mitigating the 'Matthew Effect'.
White, middle-class, and more often than not - male?
From the classic tales of Beatrix Potter’s countryside adventures to the more modern narratives of wizards and dragons, children’s books in the UK have long been dominated by a particular kind of protagonist - mostly white, middle-class, and more often than not - male.
We are living in a time of significant change, driven by the global movement that emerged in 2020. The impact of COVID-19 and the tragic murder of George Floyd brought issues of inequality, prejudice, and injustice to the forefront of daily conversations. Many brands and businesses have taken action in response, focusing on improving inclusion and representation in their teams and communications. This period has marked the beginning of much-needed reflection, education, and empathy, and with it, the need for more diverse children's literature has never been more critical. Steps have been made - but we can still look for more changes. Agents are proactive in looking for books from underrepresented creators in fiction and picture books and 'The Diverse Book Awards' https://www.thediversebookawards.co.uk have been running for the past five years, they also run the The Malorie Blackman Impact Award, presented to inspirational authors, poets or illustrators who go above and beyond and making an impact in terms of diversity and inclusion.
I’ll take you on a journey to discover more about why diversity matters and why
representation matters
Diversity in books for children
The importance of diversity in children's books extends beyond the ideas of political correctness. It's about giving every child the opportunity to see themselves in the stories they read, to feel valued, and to understand that they belong. This should be in non-fiction, fiction, and picture books. History is rich with examples - here is an example from a book about Henry VIII's ship, the Mary Rose that I created and designed - wanting to show how African Divers were hired by Henry VIII to help raise cannon. from the shipwreck. I've made a list of equally interesting individuals who could easily have books written about them at the end of this blog - including my great-uncle Gurdial Singh Salariya and his role in trying to disperse the crowds before the massacre at Jallianwala Bagh in Amritsar in 1919 and his subsequent arrest by the British and being accused of 'sedition'.
The diversity of the crew on the Mary Rose
After it's sinking during the Battle of Solent in July 1545, Henry VIII's ship the Mary Rose lost approximately 500 crew members, with only 35 survivors. Recent DNA analysis of recovered bones revealed a diverse crew, including Europeans and two North Africans. Henry VIII ordered a Venetian team to raise the ship, but their efforts failed in August 1545. African divers later salvaged valuable cannon from the wreck.
When children see characters who look like them, or come from similar backgrounds, or share their experiences, it validates their identity and self-worth. I also believe representation in a historical sense is critical to reinforce this too.
You Wouldn't Want To Sail On The Mary Rose!
Centre for Literacy in Primary Education
A study conducted by the Centre for Literacy in Primary Education (CLPE) in 2020 found that only 7% of children’s books published in the UK over the previous three years featured characters from black, asian, or minority ethnic backgrounds, despite these groups making up 33.5% of school-aged children in England. The age of books used in libraries and schools can be antiquated which will reinforce stereotypes. Publishers will also try to mislead the age of books they are republishing by removing credits of contributors to try and make books look newer than they actually are.
This stark discrepancy highlights the gap between the diversity of our society and the stories being told to our youngest members.
The books that children's have access to play a fundamental role in shaping a child's view of the world. Books are often the first windows through which children learn about different cultures, perspectives, and ways of life.
If these windows are too narrow or clouded with stereotypes, children may grow up with a limited or distorted understanding of the world around them.
The Benefits of Diverse Narratives
Diverse children's books foster empathy, reduce prejudice, and broaden worldviews by showcasing characters from different backgrounds. This is crucial in multicultural societies like the UK, promoting understanding and reducing social tensions. They also challenge stereotypes, like the one that STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, and Maths) fields are thought of as only for white males. Books like Look Up! by Nathan Bryon, featuring a Black girl aspiring to be an astronaut, celebrate ambition and curiosity regardless of gender or ethnicity. Additionally, diverse books empower children from minority backgrounds by portraying them as heroes in their own stories.
For children from marginalised communities, this representation can be incredibly empowering, reinforcing their sense of identity and self-worth.
The Current Landscape: Progress and Challenges
There has been some progress in recent years. Thanks to initiatives like the CLPE’s Reflecting Realities report, the lack of diversity in children's literature has been brought into sharper focus. Publishers, authors, and educators are increasingly aware of the importance of inclusivity, and there is a growing demand for books that reflect the diverse society in which we live and clearly progress has been made when you can see the books which were being displayed at the SAILfest celebration of South East Asian Illustrators and Literature. https://www.sailfest.org.uk/festival and the brainchild of Sanchita Basu De Sarkar, Chitra Soundar and Sinéad Gosai.
SAILFEST 2024
Perminder Mann, the SEO of the publisher Bonnier UK and the head of the Publishers Association, as well as the first South Asian woman to lead a UK publishing house, delivered the keynote speech - on the 8th of September at the British Library, talking about her poverty stricken childhood and
sharing her concerns following the racist riots, emphasising that our sense of identity and belonging can sometimes seem vulnerable, but she encouraged the audience to remain resilient and come together as a community.
Sanchita Basu De Sarkar is the owner of the Children's Bookshop in Muswell Hill, the oldest children's bookshop in the country. She has been a judge on many children’s book awards: Costa Book Award, the Branford Boase Award, the Times/Children House Prize and the Week Junior. Recognised as an acclaimed bookseller for her innovative and community-focused approach to selling books, she is making a name for herself in the publishing industry and is a strong advocate for South Asian children's literature and its creators.
Chitra Soundar
Chitra Soundar, an award-winning author with over 60 books for children published internationally, is also involved in poetry, TV, and theatre. Through The Colourful Bookshelf, she selects books for children created by British individuals of colour. Additionally, she is a co-founder of Creative Connections, a group of people of colour working in children's media.
Sinéad Gosai
With nearly two decades of experience in the media, not-for-profit, and publishing sectors, Sinéad Gosai is a versatile and innovative PR Consultant. She has developed press strategies for well known authors and bestselling books, orchestrated publicity campaigns for famous children's book authors, and oversees a busy press offices.
Books like The Boy at the Back of the Class by Onjali Q. Raúf, which tells the story of a young Syrian refugee, or Julian Is a Mermaid by Jessica Love, which explores gender identity and acceptance, are prime examples of this positive trend.
These books not only entertain but also educate, offering children insights into experiences that may be different from their own, while also providing comfort and affirmation to those who see themselves in these stories.
Themed Booklists
If you're searching for a book based on a specific theme, The Booktrust's booklists are a valuable resource to find children's books on different themes that will interest children.
These booklists cover a wide variety of topics, including everyday challenges, genres, disabilities, diversity, sports, humour, and beyond, and the Booktrust will put together a list of topics if you cannot find what you are looking for by emailing them: digital@booktrust.org.uk
The Role of Parents, Teachers, and Publishers
Creating a diverse literary landscape for children requires effort from parents, teachers, and publishers. Parents looking to find access to a wide range of books can go beyond libraries and bookstores to online communities, and organisations like The Black Curriculum and Letterbox Library where valuable resources can be found.
Teachers do incorporate diverse books into their curriculum to ensure all children feel seen and valued, fostering inclusivity and to used at times to open discussions of societal issues like racism and immigration. Publishers can continue to change the narrative by prioritising diverse voices and supporting authors from underrepresented backgrounds for authentic storytelling. Initiatives like Penguin Random House UK’s WriteNow programme aims to mentor and publish writers from marginalised communities.
But more needs to be done to ensure that diversity is not just a trend, but a fundamental part of the publishing process and authors and illustrators from diverse bacgrounds are recognised and not dissapeared in corporate marketing.
Diversity Beyond Ethnicity
It’s also important to recognise that diversity in children’s books isn’t just about race or ethnicity. True diversity encompasses a wide range of experiences, including those relating to disability, socio-economic background, religion, and more.
For instance, books like El Deafo by Cece Bell, which is a graphic novel about a young girl with hearing loss, or The Girl Who Speaks Bear by Sophie Anderson, which incorporates elements of Slavic folklore, add depth and variety to children’s literature by presenting unique perspectives and challenges.
In a world where conversations about identity are increasingly complex and multifaceted, children’s literature should reflect this diversity of thought and experience.
Books that tackle issues such as mental health, like The Goldfish Boy by Lisa Thompson, are crucial in creating an inclusive literary landscape.
Read more in my other helpful guide How Do I Handle Difficult Topics in Children's Books?
The Future of Children’s Books
The UK's increasing diversity drives the growing demand for children's books that reflect this reality. The future of children’s reading matreial hinges on embracing diversity authentically, pushing boundaries, and amplifying underrepresented voices. Publishers must commit long-term to inclusivity in content and workforce. Parents and educators should actively seek out diverse books to educate and inspire the next generation. Diversity in children's books is essential for fostering belonging, self-worth, empathy, and understanding, reflecting the world's richness. Every child should see themselves in all kinds of books, knowing their narratives are valuable.
To tell more authentic stories, we need a broader range of voices and experiences. When a publisher recruits inclusively from across the country, it must be remembered that the goal is to embrace and nurture differences, not to homogenise them. There might be a risk that people from diverse backgrounds might feel pressured to conform to the traditional London publishing culture to fit in. If that happens, the effort might become pointless.
For true diversity, difference must be celebrated and integrated it into the day to day work of how corporate publishing functions and what is published, and how that is marketed and sold.
Interesting individuals who could easily have books written about them
John Blanke (c. 1501–1512)
Trumpeter in the courts of Henry VII and Henry VIII.
John Blanke is perhaps the most famous Black Tudor. John Blanke was a significant presence in the Tudor era, performing in both the royal courts and depicted in the 1511 Westminster Tournament Roll.
Catalina of Motri
A member of Catherine of Aragon’s Retinue of Enslaved People (1501)
Catalina of Motril:
A Muslim Moor who served as one of Katherine of Aragon's servants of the bedchamber. In 1531, during Henry VIII's attempts to divorce Catherine, Catalina was called to testify about whether Catherine had been a virgin on her wedding night, though it's unknown if she actually testified.
Jacques Around (1546–48)
Guinean-born Jacques Around 1546–48, Francis lived in Southampton.
Francis oversaw South Coast shipwreck salvage teams as a skilled diver. His rescue work began with the newly sunk Mary Rose and proceeded with the other wrecks, the St. Mary and St. Edward off Southampton. A court struggle between his employer Paulo Pietro Corso and a group of Italian merchants who accused Corso of stealing salvage findings made his story public. Francis testified for his employer. The first black testimony in an English court was his.
Mary Fillis (c. 1577 - ?)
In Tudor England, she was a black servant and later a free woman.
Details: Born in Morocco, Fillis came to England in the 16th century and worked as a servant in London. Her baptism in 1597 marked her transition to English society.
Dido Elizabeth Belle (1761–1804)
A mixed-race woman born into an aristocratic society.
Details: Dido Belle was the illegitimate daughter of Sir John Lindsay and an enslaved African woman. Raised by her great-uncle Lord Mansfield, Belle's life challenges conventional narratives about race in 18th-century Britain.
Ignatius Sancho (c. 1729–1780)
Composer, writer, and abolitionist.
Details: Born on a slave ship, Sancho became a prominent figure in London's literary scene and an advocate for the abolition of slavery, writing letters and music that critiqued the British slave trade.
Olaudah Equiano (c. 1745–1797)
Writer, abolitionist, and former enslaved man.
Details: Equiano's autobiography, The Interesting Narrative of the Life of Olaudah Equiano, was influential in promoting the abolitionist cause in Britain.
Sake Dean Mahomed (1759–1851)
Indian-British entrepreneur, surgeon, and writer.
Details: Mahomed was the first Indian to publish a book in English and opened the first curry house in Britain. He also introduced ‘shampooing’ (therapeutic massage) to the UK. In 1822, Mahomed became King George IV’s personal ‘shampooing surgeon’. He stayed in this post when George’s brother William IV became king in 1830
Samuel Coleridge-Taylor (1875–1922)
Composer and conductor.
Details: Coleridge -Taylor, born to a Sierra Leonean father and English mother, became a celebrated composer, known for works like Hiawatha's Wedding Feast. He was one of the most prominent Black British classical musicians.
Princess Sophie Duleep Singh (1876–1948)
Indian princess and suffragette.
Details: Daughter of the last Maharaja of the Sikh Empire, Singh was a prominent figure in the British suffragette movement, campaigning for women's right to vote.
Lascar Sailors (1600s onwards)
South Asian sailors working on British ships.
Details: From the 16th century onwards, British ships recruited Lascars from the Indian subcontinent. Many settled in ports like London, Liverpool, and Cardiff, forming some of the earliest South Asian communities in Britain.
George Africanus (1763–1834)
Businessman.
Details: Africanus, originally from Sierra Leone, relocated to England during his childhood. He became a successful entrepreneur in Nottingham and founded his own employment agency.
Mary Prince (c. 1788–1833)
Abolitionist and author.
Details: Prince was the first Black woman to publish a slave narrative in Britain. Her autobiography, The History of Mary Prince, brought attention to the horrors of enslavement and contributed to the abolition movement.
Francis Barber (1735–1801)
Servant and companion to Samuel Johnson.
Details: Barber was born enslaved in Jamaica and became Samuel Johnson’s close companion and heir. His 18th-century presence at the heart of British literary life was significant.
Joseph Knight (1753 -?)
Joseph Knight, an African slave enslaved in Jamaica and Scotland,
Joseph Knight eventually won his freedom through a celebrated court case in Scottish legal history. Knight was taken from Guinea as a child and given the surname of the slave trader who transported and sold him in the West Indies. He was purchased by John Wedderburn, a wealthy Scottish planter, and worked as a personal servant on his estate. However, Knight's choice of partner, Ann Thomson, led to a conflict. Knight ran away to Dundee, where he appealed to the Court of Session in Edinburgh, arguing that slavery was not recognized by Scottish law. The court ultimately upheld the decision and released Knight from slavery.
Mary Seacole
Nurse, businesswoman, and writer
Details: Mary Seacole, of Jamaican and Scottish descent, funded her own trip to the Crimea to help soldiers during the Crimean War. She later became a popular figure in Victorian Britain.
Mohandas K. Gandhi (1888–1891)
Law student and anti-colonial activist.
Details: While studying law in London, Gandhi's experience influenced his later activism in India and South Africa. He also had early interactions with British suffragettes and activists.
Gurdial Singh Salariya (1897 -1947)
An Indian Barrister, graduate of Dublin University (my great-uncle) who attempted to mediate between the crowd and British authorities during the unrest in Amritsar.
Along with another lawyer, Maqbool Mahmood, Salariya placed himself between the mob and the soldiers. He waved and shouted for both sides to go back and for the soldiers to hold their fire. Salariya rode a horse provided by Mr. Plomer (a British official) into the crowd, appealing for them to disperse.
Gurdial Singh Salariya's role as a mediator during these events highlights the complexity of the situation and the efforts made by some individuals to prevent violence in the lead-up to the infamous massacre. Gurdial Singh Salariya was arrested for sedition and imprisoned from the 23rd of May to the 5th of July 1919.
Diversity in Children's Publishing: Importance and Benefits
• Represents Children's
books that reflect realities and diverse cultures, races, abilities, and family structures fostering self-esteem and belonging among children, especially those from marginalised communities.
• Fosters Empathy and Understanding: Reading about different cultures broadens worldviews, promoting empathy and understanding.
• Reflects the Real World: Diverse children's books provide a realistic reflection of the world around them, preparing readers for global society.
• Encourages Critical Thinking: Stories, non-fiction and picture books with a variety of perspectives encourage critical thinking about personal values and the world beyond the home.
• Inspires Creativity and Imagination: Exposure to different ways of living and thinking can inspire children to dream beyond their immediate surroundings.
• Creates Inclusive Spaces in Education: A diverse range of books ensures all children have access to stories that resonate with their identities and experiences.
• Challenges traditional narratives: Diverse publishing challenges traditional narratives, reshaping the understanding of heroism, success, and resilience.
BAME
(Black, Asian, and Minority Ethnic) is increasingly considered outdated and problematic in the UK. I never felt the acronym meant anything beyond 'other'.
I am grateful that organisations and institutions have stopped using the term BAME. Inclusive employers, for example, stopped using it in 2021, and the UK government no longer uses it as of 2022.
The term raises several issues:
It's not widely understood. Research found that very few people recognised the acronym or knew what it stood for.
Certain minority groups, including white ethnic minorities like gipsy, Roma, and traveller communities, face exclusion.
It groups together diverse communities with different experiences and outcomes, potentially masking important differences.
Many individuals from ethnic minority backgrounds dislike the term and don't use it to describe themselves.
Alternatives are being promoted:
Where possible, itr would be better to be more specific
When grouping is required, use terms such as "ethnic minorities" or "people from ethnic minority backgrounds.".
Some propose the term "global majority" as an alternative, although there is also debate surrounding this term.
The shift away from BAME is part of a broader movement towards more precise and respectful language when discussing race and ethnicity.
Many institutions and experts in the UK are increasingly recommending more specific or inclusive alternatives to BAME, despite its continued use in some contexts - so the conversation should continue.
The Salariya Book Company was a hub of creativity, inspiration, and exciting discoveries between 1989 - 2022. Focused on young readers aged 3 to 15, our children's imprints—Book House, Scribo, and Scribblers—offered engaging, informative, and enriching titles designed to spark the imaginations and passions of the next generation. With a strong emphasis on non-fiction, interactive learning, and art-based activity books, The Salariya Book Company helped foster a lifelong love of reading and curiosity.
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