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In 2018 the CLPE (Centre for Literacy in Primary Education) published Reflecting Realities, the first UK study looking at diversity in children's literature.
Here's some of the findings from the original report -
In 2018 the CLPE (Centre for Literacy in Primary Education) published Reflecting Realities, the first UK study looking at diversity in children's literature.
Here's some of the findings from the original report -
The findings, whilst extremely concerning, set some hopefull recommendations for improvement.
The second Reflecting Realities report, published one year later featured the below stats from books published in 2018:
Out of 11,011 books, 743 featured BAME characters
The second Reflecting Realities report, published one year later featured the below stats from books published in 2018:
Out of 11,011 books, 743 featured BAME characters
4% had a BAME main character (up from 1%)What we find concerning and disheartening:
There was a 10% increase in books featuring social justice, which made up 20% of submissions. There were a number of books received which "raised concerns about the portrayals of..
....characters and the impressions that such representations could convey".
Some titles submitted featured portrayals of BAME figures which were problematic.
A number of titles submitted featured orange, purple and grey palettes to represent BAME characters
Some titles submitted featured portrayals of BAME figures which were problematic. A number of titles submitted featured orange, purple and grey palettes to represent BAME characters
Colourism - a direct correlation with skin tone and virtue of the character Problematic language choices used to describe skin and hair
A significant number of books featured characters with exaggerated features that amplified their ethnicity reducing them to..*CLPE Reflecting Realities 2019
Focusing on quantity alone simply is not good enough. All children deserve to see themselves reflected back in the books they love, in all genres and in a way that uplifts.
