Diversity in Books for Children and Young People

There were 9115 childrens books published in the UK in 2017. How many of these books do you think featured BAME (Black, Asian, Minority Ethnic) characters? Information from the CLPE’s Reflecting Realities report https://clpe.org.uk/library-and-resources/research/reflecting-realities-survey-ethnic-representation-within-uk-children

Only 391 books published in 2017 featured BAME characters. With BAME characters Without BAME characters This means that only 4% of the childrens books published in 2017 featured BAME characters.

Only 1% of the books featured a BAME main character. Yet, 32% of school pupils in England were of minority ethnic origins.

Also, characters who are disabled or LGBTQ are under represented in books for children and young people. https://www.booktrust.org.uk/news-and-features/features/2015/lgbt-representation-in-childrens-and-ya-books/ https://www.theguardian.com/childrens-books-site/2014/oct/16/disabled-characters-in-childrens-books-diversity

So… why is diversity in children’s books important? Why is it important to be able to choose a book about a character that is like you in some way? Why is it important to read about children from different backgrounds and cultures from you?

Books showed me that it was all right to be different; that difference might even be something to celebrate. One of my favourites was Watership Down, by Richard Adams. I loved the adventures of those rabbits, and was amazed to see that their legendary hero was called El-Ahrairah. The greatest rabbit who ever lived had an Arabic-sounding name? I can’t tell you how deep a chord this struck for me. https://www.theguardian.com/childrens-books-site/2014/oct/15/sf-said-diversity-in-childrens-books-1970s-uk

“When kids grow up not seeing themselves in books they grow up feeling like they don’t matter.” —Eric Smith, author and associate literary agent at PS Literary “As someone obsessed with and who writes small-town America, if you don’t see diversity in your town, you’re not looking hard enough.” —Julie Murphy, #1 New York Times bestselling author of Dumplin

“A book is a place where children can try on all the lives they haven’t got.” —Margaret Meek, author and theorist “When children see their lives reflected in the books they read, they feel they and their lives are not invisible.” —Malorie Blackman, author

“We need to show every child that they belong between the pages of great literature, regardless of heritage, faith, ability or financial security.” —Cerrie Burnell, author, actor and presenter “Let’s make our bookshelves reflect the diversity of our streets.” —Phil Earle, author

What books can you think of that reflects the diversity of society today?

How can we help to promote diverse children’s books and encourage the publishing industry to include a wide range of characters in their books?