One of our earliest perceptions of the world and its cultures are shaped by the books we read so it is essential that children see a true reflection of our society in the books that they read. As the Black Lives Matter movement dominates our headlines, our children will be becoming more and more aware of the importance of inclusivity in our world and nowhere is that more important than in our school.
The absence of an inclusive range of role models or characters in the books we generally read to and with our children, risks both deterring children from minority backgrounds from developing a love of reading, and maybe more importantly, can create an unrealistic image of the diversity of our society leading to intrinsic racism.
In 2018, the CLPE commissioned a survey, funded by the Arts Council, concluded that only 4% of children’s books have a main character from an ethnic minority and only a small percentage more featured any characters from ethnic minorities at all. Whereas at the time of the last census in the UK in 2011, 13% of the UK population identified themselves as Black, Asian or from another Ethnic Minority.
Often the books that do feature characters from an ethnic minority tended to focus only on ‘social justice’ issues, including immigration, bullying and racism. What we really need is a good story too. The good news is that we do have some brilliant authors, illustrators and relevant literature available to us enabling all children to find themselves reflected in books.
Below are just a few book suggestions to help you to help your children to build understanding, empathy and tolerance of our different backgrounds as well as celebrate our rich, shared cultural heritage. Not all of these books have morals as such, they are just designed to give a mixture of cultural perspectives.
3+
Baby Goes to Market Atinuke
Ravi’s Roar Tom Percival
Lubna and Pebble Wendy Meddour
5-7
Sofia Valdez, Future Prez Andrea Beaty
Malala a Brave Girl from Pakistan Jeanette Winter
The Proudest Blue Ibitihaj Muhammad
7-9
The Undefeated Kwame Alexander
Sofia the Dreamer and her Magical Afro Jessica Wilson
Maya Angelou; Little Guides to Great Lives Danielle Jawando
The Girl who stole an Elephant Nizrana Farook
9-11
A Dangerous Game Malorie Blackman
Clean Getaway Nic Stone
Ghost Jason Reynolds
11+
The Crossover (graphic novel) Kwame Alexander
Look Both Ways Jason Reynolds
Hell and High Water Tanya Landman
A Pocketful of Stars Aisha Busby