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RESEARCH
Created: 18th September, 2019

CLPE's Reflecting Realities - Survey of Ethnic Representation within UK Children’s Literature published 2019

We released our second Reflecting Realities report (focused on diversity and inclusion in children's books) in September 2019.

The Reflecting Realities: Survey of Ethnic Representation within UK Children’s Literature 2018 shows that there has been an increased presence of Black, Asian or Minority Ethnic characters in children’s books published in 2018, compared to the previous year.

This is the second year the survey has been conducted in the UK, with the aim of identifying and highlighting representation within picture books, fiction and non-fiction for ages 3 – 11.

The report's key points:

  • Overall increase in books featuring a Black, Asian or Minority Ethnic character – from 4% in 2017 to 7% in 2018.
  • Increase in the number of Black, Asian or Minority Ethnic main protagonists – from 1% in 2017 to 4% in 2018.
  • There is still a long way to go to achieve representation that reflects the UK population.
  • Report offers analysis and advice to ensure representation of Black, Asian or Minority Ethnic people is positive and authentic in children’s books, and highlights good practice.

Illustrations © Lucy Farfort and reproduced with her kind permission.

Booklet design: Ben Cotterill

This work is funded by Arts Council England