Research from the National Literacy Trust’s Annual Literacy Survey found that 2 in 5 (38.9%) children and young people say that they find it difficult to find books with characters or people like them, increasing to 1 in 2 (53.1%) children aged 8 to 11. Children who are more likely to report that they don’t see characters like them in books include those from Black ethnic backgrounds (nearly 1 in 2: 45.2%) and those receiving Free School Meals (more than 2 in 5: 42.5%).

There are numerous campaigns relating to increasing diversity of representation in children’s literature (race and ethnicity, LGBT+, disability and neurodiversity). However, these are mainly based in the publishing industry and are led by adults. We want to build on the work of National Literacy Trust’s survey which included questions about diversity and inclusion in children’s books and give the children in Liverpool schools the opportunity to share their views and opinions on representation in books.

Liverpool Learning Partnership and Edge Hill University held an event on June 16th where pupils from Years 5-8 had the opportunity to listen to talks and engage in discussion on the topic diversity and representation in children’s books.

The aims of the event:

  • To foster conversations between pupils (and adults) on diversity and inclusion in children’s literature
  • To capture pupil’s voice regarding how represented they feel in the literature they read
  • To foster pupil’s aspirations regarding creative careers and university attendance

The day was captured in the form of visual minutes by Chris and Rowan from More Than Minutes.

You can find a larger version of this at LLP Representations Dropbox.

If you would like to know more about our key note speakers, Richard O’Neill or Natalie Denny, or would like to know how to book them for further events in your school, here are their website links:

Richard O’Neill: thestoryteller – Home page (weebly.com)

Natalie Denny: Natalie Denny