BookTrust Represents
BookTrust Represents is a project created to promote and improve the representation of people of colour in children’s books so that all children read a range of books that reflect them and their wider communities.
Illustration: "Tiles" by Shirin Adl
Why representation matters
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. This is why we’ve launched BookTrust Represents. We want to help get the right books in children’s hands by supporting schools and creators of colour with the knowledge and opportunities needed to alleviate some of these complex barriers.
Discover #PassThePen
#PassThePen is a brand new initiative from BookTrust Represents and Waterstones Children's Laureate Cressida Cowell to promote emerging authors and illustrators of colour.
From 16-20 November, high-profile hosts will hand over their Instagram accounts to up-and-coming creators to give them a chance to showcase their work.
Authors and illustrators of colour
Are you an author or illustrator looking for support or to expand your knowledge and reach in publishing? Join our growing community and discover the amazing development and networking opportunities available for established and emerging authors and illustrators of colour.
Support for schools
We want to get every child in your school reading. And for that we need a range of different voices, not just for children to see themselves in books, but for all children to have the rich reading experience they deserve.
Books can change lives
Our programmes
Find out more about how we support families and practitioners to get children reading for fun.
Why reading matters
Getting children and families reading for pleasure
Find out about the impact of our work and read testimonials to discover how it has made a real difference to practitioners, parents, carers and children.
Bookmark: books and disability
Information on disability and children's books
Find advice and book recommendations for families, teachers, librarians, authors and publishers.