BookTrust Represents: picture books

BookTrust Represents is our programme created to promote children’s authors and illustrators of colour. As part of the project we have put together a booklist highlighting some of our favourite picture books by authors and illustrators of colour.

Illustration by Lucy Farfort showing a mum and son reading together on a red sofa

Books play an important role as mirrors for children: these stories and characters will affect how they see themselves and the world around them, their motivation to read, and their aspirations to become authors and illustrators of the future. 

However, finding books that truly reflect the diversity of families in the UK is challenging. Over the past 11 years, fewer than 2% of all authors and/​or illustrators of children’s books published in the UK were British people of colour.

  • You’re Safe With Me

    by Chitra Soundar, illustrated by Poonam Mistry 

    2018 2 to 6 years 

    • Around the world
    • Picture books

    This simple story will comfort little ones and its soothing text will lull them to sleep. Accompanied with incredibly stunning and intricate illustrations, this picture book would make a great addition to the bedtime routine.

  • If All the World Were

    by Joseph Coelho, illustrated by Allison Colpoys 

    2018 0 to 6 years 

    This beautiful story tells the love that one little girl has for her ageing grandad. One day he isn’t there anymore, but the little girl finds evidence of their happy times together. A touching, sensitive text that doesn’t dwell on the sadness and could bring real comfort.

  • 15 Things Not to Do With a Baby

    by Margaret McAllister, illustrated by Holly Sterling 

    2015 2 to 6 years 

    • Funny
    • Picture books

    A simple and sweet little idea that will make tots who have new baby siblings really giggle.

  • My Hair

    by Hannah Lee, illustrated by Allen Fatimaharan 

    2019 2 to 9 years 

    • Picture books
    • Poetry and rhyme

    This joyful celebration of black hair demonstrates a range of styles and will inspire children to experiment with their own look.

  • Bear Moves

    by Ben Bailey Smith, illustrated by Sav Akyüz 

    2019 2 to 6 years 

    • Funny
    • Picture books

    Ben Bailey Smith (aka Doc Brown”) and Sav Akyüz team up again to deliver this hilariously funny sequel to I Am Bear. Its energetic and colourful illustrations and superb rhythmic text will keep readers in stitches from start to finish.

  • The Cow Who Fell to Earth

    by Nadia Shireen 

    2017 4 to 9 years 

    • Funny
    • Picture books

    One night, a little cow falls to earth from the moon, but none of the earth animals speak her language. This lovely book about friendship and belonging is beautifully paced and has all of Nadia Shireen’s recognisable cute characters.

  • Daddy Do My Hair: Kechi’s Hair Goes Every Which Way

    by Tọlá Okogwu, illustrated by Naomi Wright 

    2018 4 to 9 years 

    • Picture books

    Kechi’s Mum knows lots of different ways to style her big beautiful curly hair. But when it’s Kechi’s Daddy who has to take her to school, we see him trying, and failing, to do her hair just like Mummy does. Fun and hilarity follows… 

  • Is it a Mermaid?

    by Candy Gourlay, illustrated by Francesca Chessa 

    2018 4 to 9 years 

    • Adventure
    • Around the world
    • Fantasy
    • Funny
    • Picture books

    Bel and Benji meet a friendly dugong, also known as a sea cow, on a tropical beach. This delightful book about friendship, imagination and self-belief includes factual information about these gentle marine mammals, who are sadly at threat of extinction. 

  • Crescent Moons and Pointed Minarets

    by Hena Khan, illustrated by Mehrdokht Amini 

    2018 4 to 9 years 

    • Around the world
    • Non-fiction
    • Picture books
    • Poetry and rhyme

    This beautifully designed picture book with exquisite illustrations explores a variety of shapes relating to Islamic objects and practices. It is perfect to share with children at home or in the classroom.

  • Nimesh the Adventurer

    by Ranjit Singh Dhaliwal, illustrated by Mehrdokht Amini 

    2018 4 to 9 years 

    • Adventure
    • Fantasy
    • Funny
    • Picture books

    This captivating picture book will delight young children, encouraging them to invent their own imaginative adventures. The striking collage illustrations contain vibrancy and depth, drawing the reader into Nimesh’s exciting fantasy world.

  • Astro Girl

    by Ken Wilson-Max 

    2019 4 to 9 years 

    • Picture books

    Astrid loves the stars and space, and wants to be an astronaut. A delightful and educational book for young readers interested in space travel, with colourful illustrations, large-print text, fun facts, diverse characters and heartfelt father-daughter interactions. 

  • Wild (Emily Hughes)

    by Emily Hughes 

    2013 2 to 9 years 

    • Picture books

    A little girl grows up in the wild woods, taught to talk by the birds, eat by the bears, and to play by the foxes. Then some very strange animals arrive and take her away.

  • Hip and Hop: You Can Do Anything

    by Akala, illustrated by Sav Akyüz 

    2017 4 to 9 years 

    • Picture books

    Inspired by Hip’s helpful rap about working hard for your dreams, Hop tries and tries, and finally wheels his way into first place at the local bike race.

  • Look Up!

    by Nathan Bryon, illustrated by Dapo Adeola 

    2019 4 to 9 years 

    • Funny
    • Historical

    Nathan Bryon and Dapo Adeola’s charming picture book gifts us with a gorgeous character in Rocket, a girl whose passion for all things space is as inspiring to the reader as her heroine Mae Jemison is to her. 

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