Children's Book Diversity Shows Promising Recovery in 2024

Great news for young readers and aspiring authors! The latest research from the Centre for Literacy in Primary Education reveals that representation in UK children's literature is bouncing back after a concerning decline.

The Numbers Tell an Encouraging Story

According to the 2024 Reflecting Realities report, nearly one in four children's books now feature racially minoritised characters—a significant jump from just 17% in 2023. Even more exciting? Books with racially minoritised main characters hit an all-time high of 24%, compared to only 1% when the study began in 2017. That's tremendous progress in less than a decade.

The study examined over 4,000 picture books, fiction, and non-fiction titles for ages three to eleven. Of these, 952 books featured racially minoritised characters, with these characters increasingly taking center stage rather than appearing only in background roles.

What's Driving This Progress?

Publishers have invested in engaging series that center diverse characters, creating rich story worlds where children from all backgrounds can see themselves as heroes and protagonists. The research found that 98% of racially minoritised main characters actively influenced the narrative through their thoughts, voices, and actions—up from 77% the previous year. This demonstrates a meaningful shift toward authentic representation where diverse characters drive stories forward with genuine agency.

Fiction and non-fiction both saw increases in representation, rising to 18% and 27% respectively. Fantasy continues to dominate fiction submissions, while science, technology, engineering, mathematics, history, and biography lead in non-fiction.

Challenges Remain

Not everything is rosy. Picture books, which have consistently shown the highest representation, dropped from 55% to 38%—the lowest figure in years. This is particularly concerning since picture books often introduce the youngest readers to literature. Experts suggest rising production costs may be partly responsible for publishers pulling back in this category.

Why This Matters

Research from the National Literacy Trust confirms what many of us intuitively know: children who see themselves in books are more likely to enjoy reading, read more often, and feel more confident. Yet two-fifths of children still struggle to find books with characters like them.

The report's lead researcher emphasizes that inclusion must become "an embedded way of being" throughout the publishing process—from concept to shelf. When diversity is integral rather than an afterthought, it creates better books and better choices for everyone.

Little Book Factory's Role

At Little Book Factory, we believe every child deserves to be the author of their own story—literally. We're committed to ensuring that children from all backgrounds can publish books, share their unique perspectives, and contribute to the diverse literary landscape young readers desperately need.

The 2024 findings show that when the industry prioritizes representation, real progress happens. As we look toward 2026's National Year of Reading, there's never been a better time to support young authors from every community in bringing their stories to life.

The future of children's literature is diverse, inclusive, and full of possibility—and every child's voice matters.