The importance of children reading books with characters that look like them cannot be overstated. For kids, representation in the stories they are exposed to growing up is essential for building self-esteem, enthusiasm for reading, and assurance that their experiences matter. When kids see themselves in characters they love, that mirror turns into a window for their imagination.
Although there have been many more calls for diversity in the books we read today, lasting change is still hard to sustain. The Children's Book Council (CCBC) documented 3,491 books for children and teens published in 2023. In 2023, 49% of the books had significant BIPOC content, up from 46% in 2022. 40% of the books had at least one BIPOC primary character, up from 39% in 2022. 40% of the books were by a person of color, including 18% with at least one Asian creator, 13% with at least one Black creator, and 11% with at least one Latine creator.
Although there has been a decent influx of BIPOC characters in children’s books in recent years, there’s still plenty of room for improvement. A survey found that almost 20% of children's books feature characters of color, but many still have "poorly represented characters". In 2023, only 7% of books featured a primary or secondary character with a disability, just 7% featured LGBTQ+ themes or characters, and only 4% featured a minority religion.
At On The Same Page Boston, we recognize that narrowing learning disparities in Boston schools comes hand in hand with prioritizing diversity in the books our kids are exposed to at a formative age. Take a look at the book wishlist we’ve curated in collaboration with the teachers at The Mather School, get inspired, and make a donation today.
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