The Reflecting Realities report, identifies and evaluates representation within picture books, fiction and non-fiction for ages 3–11 and provides a benchmark to track and understand progress and a toolkit to support both producers and consumers of children’s literature to be more critically reflective in the move towards a more inclusive future. This report looks at the children's literature published in the UK in the 2020 calendar year.

The report's key points:

  • A positive increase in children’s books featuring a minority ethnic character from 10% in 2019 to 15% in 2020 and up significantly from the 4% reported in the inaugural report in 2017;
  • Increase in representation in picturebooks and non-fiction – representation in fiction books remains the same;

The Reflecting Realities reports have inspired a number of initiatives from a variety of organisations, implying positive change in the industry.

When you look at the data further of the 5875 children’s picturebooks, fiction and non-fiction titles which were published in the UK in 2020, 879 featured characters of colour - 15%. The continued positive trend in inclusive and representative output makes this a really exciting time in children’s literature.

But with figures this low, there is still some way to go to ensuring a more representative bookshelf for our young readers. It is crucial that all readers are able to see themselves reflected in the books that they encounter.

We must consider these figures against the backdrop that 33.9% of children of primary school age in England are from a minority ethnic background, only 8% of books in 2020 featured a main character from a minroty ethnic background.

The issue of under-representation in children’s literature is not a new phenomenon.

In 2021 the CLPE worked with BookTrust and the inclusive publisher Knights Of to produce a short story collection, Happy Here. This book is authored and illustrated by the some of the best emerging and long established Black Britishartists and features a range of stories, genres and styles, with well fleshed out developed characters that taps into a range of lived experiences and spans across every day, funny, mystery, adventure and fantasy. BookTrust has distributed a copy of this book to every school in England and they are continuing to work together to provide resources, visits and support for schools. 

If you are looking for suggestions for diverse literature for children, do take a look at our sister website LoveReading4Kids where we have collections of book recommendations.

Diverse Voices - 80+ children's books that celebrate difference

40 Children's Books Celebrating Black History and Culture

You are able to access the 2021 Reflecting Realities Report here