Few minorities in children’s literature

Children’s books do not reflect modern UK society, with ethnic minorities significantly under-represented, according to a study.

It says that there are very few characters from a Black, Asian or minority ethnic (BAME) background in literature aimed at children, which is at odds with the make-up of the nation’s population. The study, by the Centre for Literacy in Primary Education, says that of the 9,115 children’s books published in the UK last year, just 391 (4 per cent) featured BAME characters.