US children’s literature diversity on the rise 

In the US, 40% of 2022 children’s book released had a Black, Indigenous and People of Colour (BIPOC) author, illustrator or compiler, a new report has found, reports Publishers Weekly.

The University of Wisconsin’s Cooperative Children’s Book Centre (CBCC) publishes an annual compilation of statistics on diversity in children’s literature. Of the 3450 books published in 2022 reviewed by the CBCC, 3200 are published by US publishers, with the remaining books from Canadian, Australian and NZ presses.

While 40% of the books reviewed had at least one BIPOC author, illustrator or compiler, 71% of books received had at least one white author, illustrator or compiler. In addition, the CBCC reports that 46% of books had ‘significant BIPOC content’ and 39% had at least one BIPOC primary character.

CCBC director Tessa Michaelson said in a statement that the results are ‘encouraging’, noting the proportion of books with at least one BIPOC author, illustrator or compiler had tripled since 2015.

Category: International news