Today marks the 25th anniversary of World Book Day 2022. It’s an opportunity for children to dress up as their favourite novel character, but more importantly to encourage children to pick up a book, acknowledge the importance of reading and to embrace the marvellous world of imagination and story.
We catch up with Lynsey Pollard – Founder of ‘Little Box of Books’ – who emphasises the significance of reading from as small as a baby up to teenage years and above. As well as advocating for a wider range of representation of different backgrounds and cultures.
You created Little Box of Books – What is it and what was your inspiration behind this creation?
I wanted my children to grow up seeing that their normal wasn’t the only normal
‘Little Box of Books’ is an inclusive and representative children’s book company, working with families, schools and charities to diversify children’s bookshelves. I set it up because when I became a single Mum to my eldest son who is now 8, I never saw our family unit in stories. And I realised that a lot of kids’ books centred the experience of white middle class, heterosexual nuclear families. I wanted my children to grow up seeing that their normal wasn’t the only normal and that everybody is worthy of being the main character of a story. I started out diversifying our own bookshelves and quickly realised it was a service more parents needed.
Why do you think it is important for children of all ages to read?
Reading for pleasure is the single most important skill for any child. If they fall in love with reading they are more likely to succeed academically across the board, opening up a whole world of possibilities to them. Obviously seeing people who look a bit like them or share family similarities helps children to engage with stories.
What advice can you give parents to help encourage their children to read?
Let children choose the books they like, even if you think they’re babyish or boring. For ten minutes everyday, that’s all it takes, make storytime the most important thing. Do the voices, ask them what they notice on the pages, help them to notice the words, let them read aloud. Make it exploratory and try to leave any judgements behind.
Why do you think some children struggle to embrace reading?
If you don’t see yourself in stories, it is easy to see why you think books aren’t for you
Reading can be hard for some kids. Some kids aren’t exposed to books, some kids have been put off by not picking it up as fast as other kids and for some kids dyslexia and other conditions can make reading really tough. The right support must be accessed by school to ensure all children are supported on their reading journey. For many children though, books aren’t about them or for them. Only 8% of children’s books published in 2020 featured a main character of black, Asian or minority ethnic origins. Similarly, there are a tiny number of disabled characters and not many picture books set in working class houses and settings. If you don’t see yourself in stories, it is easy to see why you think books aren’t for you.
You are conscious of children from different backgrounds and cultures being represented in the book world – Why do you think there is such a lack of diversity and how does this effect children?
There is a lack of diversity in children’s books because, up until recently, publishing has been filled with middle class white people. If companies aren’t diverse behind the scenes, then output is not going to be diverse. And that has been true, especially of the large publishing houses for a very long time. Various authors and publishers have been campaigning for diversity in publishing for more than 50 years because telling a variety of stories means more children see that they can do and be anything or anyone they want to be. This year we have seen a massive change in the output from publishers and we are delighted to see it.
In what ways do Little Box of Books aim to diminish lack of representation?
We tackle a lack of representation by making sure that the books we champion are created by people from marginalised groups, and the characters in those books reflect the diversity of our population. The books we choose show diversity in race, culture, family set up, relationships, disability and gender roles, incidental to the storyline.
World Book Day 2022 will celebrate their 25th Anniversary – How will Little Box of Books be showing their support?
Sometimes schools are the only places where children get to see books so it is crucial that they are representative of society
We use World Book Day to highlight the lack of diversity in children’s books and the lack of budget that schools have to make sure their shelves are diverse. Sometimes schools are the only places where children get to see books so it is crucial that they are representative of society. We will continue to campaign for school libraries to be properly funded and reflective of the diversity of our population. To mark the 25th anniversary of World Book Day we have joined forces with Chelsea FC Foundation to launch a new school programme, using representative books to teach children about equality, diversity and inclusion. The first session brings children from five London primary schools together, in their World Book Day costumes, for an event at the Chelsea FC stadium, Stamford Bridge.
What shall we look out for from Little Box of Books in the coming future?
We are looking forward to working with Chelsea Football Club this World Book Day and beyond to reach more schools with inclusive books. We're delighted that Rochelle Humes is supporting us with our drive to diversify bookshelves. We will continue on our mission to get more inclusive books into as many primary schools as we can so that every single child in the UK has access to a diverse, inclusive bookshelf.
‘Little Box of Books’ have joined forces with Chelsea FC Foundation to launch a new school programme, using representative books to teach children about equality, diversity and inclusion.
For more information, visit www.littleboxofbooks.co.uk
Written by Laura, who you can follow on Twitter at @LauraJadeC20
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