Happy Here: All primary schools in England to be supported to bring inclusive and representative stories into the classroom

This week, every primary school in England will receive a free copy of Happy Here, a new anthology from 20 of our best Black British writers and illustrators.

Published by inclusive publisher Knights Of, Happy Here includes stories and poems which explore themes of joy, home and family through a wide range of genres and styles. The initiative is part of a wider long-term programme of research and activity led by the CLPE and children’s reading charity BookTrust to empower changes in teaching practice and improve representation in children's literature and publishing.

Alongside this, BookTrust and CLPE are supporting schools with a range of resources and events designed to help teachers share a love of reading and writing with children and give them a rich and diverse learning experience by bringing inclusive and representative stories into the classroom:

All schools are invited to attend a free online event with celebrated children's author Joseph Coelho, hosted by BookTrust on 13th October as part of Black History Month. Discover this event...
CLPE are providing a free teaching sequence for Key Stage 2, to support schools in the study and enjoyment of Happy Here as part of their Literacy Curriculum. Download the free resource now...
CLPE will deliver online sessions for teachers to learn more about the importance of representation in the classroom. Book your place...
BookTrust has provided an additional 50 free copies of Happy Here to 100 schools with a minimum of 25% of pupils receiving free school meals.

CLPE's Reflecting Realities Reports, alongside the BookTrust Represents Reports highlighted the need for the Happy Here anthology.

The 4th annual CLPE Reflecting Realities Survey of Ethnic Representation within UK Children’s Literature, evaluating representation in children’s books published in the UK in 2020 will be published in November 2021. The next BookTrust Represents research study into the representation of people of colour among children’s book creators in the UK will be published in Autumn 2022.