Almost a third of school-age children are from black, Asian and minority ethnic backgrounds. But they will still struggle to find characters who resemble themselvesBooks can show us the world both as it is, and as it could be – “mirrors and windows”, as the author Malorie Blackman notes. For children, they are currently falling short on both counts. In the pages of a picture or chapter book, readers have their experience affirmed or glimpse exciting new possibilities: mastering a fear of the dark, or travelling through space. Yet a young black or Asian child picking up a book today is more likely to encounter a rabbit than a protagonist who looks like them, says the expert who has led a new review of representation, Reflecting Realities. This is astonishing in an age when 32% of school-age children are from black, Asian or minority ethnic backgrounds; and is bad news not only for them but for all young readers. Publishers are offering a dated, narrow and skewed picture of the complex, diverse, interconnected world around them.Don’t blame Beatrix Potter. This is not a historic, cumulative problem; the new research covers only books published in 2017. The Centre for Literacy in Primary Education asked publishers to submit titles with BAME characters and received fewer than 400, set against the roughly 9,000 books published for children aged three to 11. Quality and sheer variety are as important as quantity. Only 1% of titles featured a BAME lead character; in a quarter of... Continue reading at 'The Guardian'
[ The Guardian | 2018-07-17 00:00:00 UTC ]
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TV presenter and author Paul O'Grady has signed a “major” multi-book deal with HarperCollins for his debut children’s novel, Eddie Albert and the Amazing Animal Gang, the first in a planned series. Continue reading at The Bookseller
[ The Bookseller | 2021-02-17 19:53:37 UTC ]
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The Klaus Flugge Prize, awarded to the "most promising and exciting newcomer" in children’s picture book illustration, has longlisted 20 books from illustrators whose debuts span friendship, love, family, the natural world and tales of daring. Continue reading at The Bookseller
[ The Bookseller | 2021-02-11 05:20:34 UTC ]
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Get to know the works of some of the best Caribbean authors writing classic and contemporary books for young readers. Continue reading at Book Riot
[ Book Riot | 2021-02-09 11:36:00 UTC ]
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Helen Mackenzie Smith has been promoted to the newly created role of picture books publisher at Simon & Schuster Children's. Continue reading at The Bookseller
[ The Bookseller | 2021-02-08 18:09:06 UTC ]
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Books published by Walker, Nosy Crow and Egmont have been shortlisted for this year's Derby Children's Picture Book Award. Continue reading at The Bookseller
[ The Bookseller | 2021-02-08 17:10:34 UTC ]
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At the turn of the 20th century, with few children's books featuring Black characters, one young editor implored his peers to 'Let us make the world know that we are living.' Continue reading at The Conversation
[ The Conversation | 2021-02-05 13:08:13 UTC ]
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A bookseller in Wetherby, West Yorkshire, has launched a crowdfund to donate books to children who receive free school meals. Continue reading at The Bookseller
[ The Bookseller | 2021-01-28 17:56:42 UTC ]
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Ever wanted to own art by your favorite children's book illustrator? You can! Check out work by Grace Lin, Tyler Feder, and more. - Kelly Jensen Continue reading at Book Riot
[ Book Riot | 2021-01-27 11:34:00 UTC ]
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Children’s book podcast and radio show "Down the Rabbit Hole" is starting 2021 with a new presenting and production team, including author Sam Sedgman, Scholastic's Hannah Love, Little Tiger's Charlie Morris and The Bookseller's Caroline Carpenter. Continue reading at The Bookseller
[ The Bookseller | 2021-01-26 02:08:20 UTC ]
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Has this Google lawyer written the book of the year? The part-time author talks about the inspiration for her thriller about siblings who flee abusive parents and their ‘house of horror’Abigail Dean was about to turn 30 when she suddenly realised that her job as a lawyer was using up all the... Continue reading at The Guardian
[ The Guardian | 2021-01-25 06:00:07 UTC ]
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The Quarto Group's eco-imprint Ivy Kids will publish When We Went Wild, the first children's book from Isabella Tree, conservationist and author of Wilding (Picador, 2018). Continue reading at The Bookseller
[ The Bookseller | 2021-01-24 15:30:24 UTC ]
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Puffin is publishing the first children's book by CBeebies presenter and YouTuber Maddie Moate, illustrated by Paul Boston, this September. Continue reading at The Bookseller
[ The Bookseller | 2021-01-20 22:41:13 UTC ]
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Seven Stories Press UK will publish The Lost Soul, the first children's book by Polish author Olga Tokarczuk, translated into English by Antonia Lloyd-Jones and illustrated by Joanna Concejo. Continue reading at The Bookseller
[ The Bookseller | 2021-01-19 16:52:22 UTC ]
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“As a graphic designer, we can play a role in standing up for something.” During the protests for racial justice this past summer and over the past few years, Black Lives Matter became a movement and rallying cry, a message of optimism and hope, and a simple statement of affirmation: the lives... Continue reading at Fast Company
[ Fast Company | 2021-01-19 08:00:06 UTC ]
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Walker Books has confirmed a two-book deal with comedian, film director, screenwriter, television presenter, actor and author Richard Ayoade. Continue reading at The Bookseller
[ The Bookseller | 2021-01-18 21:05:17 UTC ]
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Some pleasant news! In honor of “Peace Train”s 50th anniversary, Yusuf/Cat Stevens has announced that the illustrated children’s book Peace Train, using the lyrics of the famous song, will be published May 11th via HarperCollins. It will be followed by a picture book adaptation of Stevens’ song... Continue reading at Literrary Hub
[ Literrary Hub | 2021-01-13 17:36:37 UTC ]
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"Rebeldita la Alegre en el País de los Ogros," by Oriel María Siu, was inspired by the glaring gap between her family's experiences and the children's books she saw on library shelves. Continue reading at Los Angeles Times
[ Los Angeles Times | 2021-01-13 15:00:43 UTC ]
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We've got books for the Read Harder task asking you to read a children’s book that centers a disabled character but not their disability. Continue reading at Book Riot
[ Book Riot | 2021-01-13 11:32:00 UTC ]
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Children’s Books North co-founders Tilda Johnson, Emma Layfield and Liz Scott are launching a mentoring scheme for emerging publishing professionals living in the North of England and in Scotland. Continue reading at The Bookseller
[ The Bookseller | 2021-01-12 12:12:39 UTC ]
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HarperCollins Children’s Books has signed two novels by middle-grade author Nicola Skinner. Continue reading at The Bookseller
[ The Bookseller | 2020-12-23 00:52:01 UTC ]
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