Today the Centre for Literacy in Primary Education (CLPE) release the 8th annual Reflecting Realities Survey of Ethnic Representation within UK Children’s Literature showing that 24% of children’s books published in 2024 feature a racially minoritised character.

What the figures in the CLPE's survey mean

While this demonstrates a steady increase from the 17% reported in 2023, reporting is yet to return to the levels reported in 2022 of 30%, before last year’s dramatic drop. CLPE welcomes the significant increase in main characters from a racially minoritised background to 24% - the highest reported figure in this area in the history of the report and a stark contrast to the 7% reported in 2023.

Using the detailed methodology established in the first year of this work in 2017, the Reflecting Realities survey reports on racially minoritised characters included in the different text types of fiction, non-fiction and picture books aimed at readers aged 3-11.

This year has seen a positive increase in minoritised presence in both fiction and non-fiction year on year - from 11% in 2023 to 18% in 2024 in fiction, and from 22% in 2023 to 27% in 2024 in non-fiction. However, it is worth noting that neither of these gains matches or exceeds the figures reported in the 2022 report which remain the highest reported percentages of representative fiction at 24% and non-fiction at 30%.

By contrast, picture books have seen an unprecedented drop in the proportion of presence reported, from 55% in 2023 to 38% in 2024. Despite being the only text type to report a drop this year, picture books continue to have the highest proportion of presence across the three text types.

What the experts have to say about the survey results

Farrah Serroukh Executive Director of Research and Development, CLPE said, “It is a real privilege to have the opportunity to track the output over an extended period as this has enabled us to encourage publishers to remain steadfast in their commitment to ensuring quality inclusive and representative output. We were worried that the dramatic drop reported in last year's report might mark the start of a downward spiral that would undo the important gains made in prior years, so we have been pleased to be able to report an increase in overall output this eighth survey. Work must now be done to implement mechanisms that ensure that an inclusive lens is applied at every stage from the seed of an idea to the book on the shelf. If this happens, the roots established during this period will be able to take hold, bloom and elevate children's literature for generations to come.”

Earlier this year, CLPE became a subsidiary charity of the National Literacy Trust, combining the charities’ resources, expertise and networks to scale a shared mission for excellence in literacy education in the UK and internationally.

Jonathan Douglas CBE, Chief Executive of the National Literacy Trust, said, “In the midst of a national reading for pleasure crisis, CLPE’s vital Reflecting Realities research continues to shine a spotlight on just how important it is for children and young people to have both access to, and the chance to choose from, a diverse range of stories that they can see themselves in and that are relevant and relatable to their lives and experiences.

“Our own research hammers this home – children and young people who see themselves in books are more likely to enjoy reading, read more often and have greater confidence, particularly those from ethnic minority and low-income backgrounds. Yet two-fifths told us they find it difficult to find books with characters like them in.

"The National Year of Reading in 2026 provides a once-in-a-generation opportunity for the important progress we’re seeing in representation across children’s publishing to take root and flourish. By bringing together diverse authors, illustrators, publishers, libraries, charities and more, the campaign will tackle the nation’s steep decline in reading enjoyment and make reading feel relevant, exciting and rewarding to every child today – and for generations to come."

The history and purpose of the CLPE's Reflecting Realities survey

The annual CLPE survey was launched in 2018 and has been funded by Arts Council England since its inception. The core aim of the survey is to determine the extent and quality of representation of racially minoritised characters featured within picture books, fiction and non- fiction for ages 3-11 published in the UK. Taken together, the 8 years of reporting provide an invaluable standard benchmark and guidance for the industry to evaluate output.

James Urquhart, Interim Director, Literature & Senior Manager, Libraries, Arts Council England said, “We are proud to continue supporting CLPE’s Reflecting Realities report, which remains a vital resource for the children’s publishing sector and beyond. As we approach the National Year of Reading in 2026, it’s more important than ever to ensure that all children can find authentic and engaging books that speak to their lived experiences, spark imaginations, and have the power to inspire a love of reading. The increase in racially minoritised main characters is a welcome step forward, and we commend CLPE’s commitment to driving change through evidence, advocacy, and collaboration.”

CLPE works closely with educators to develop best practice in all aspects of literacy teaching and provision. This report series therefore has a twofold purpose in that it not only monitors and reports on industry output, but it also contributes to supporting the development of critical reflection, engagement and mediation of children’s literature in the classroom. The figures reported this year do not mirror the significant highs or lows of prior surveys but they make clear that the work of ensuring all readers can access a breadth of quality inclusive and representative literature is far from done.

To view CLPE’s Reflecting Realities Survey of Ethnic Representation within UK Children’s Literature click here

To see LoveReading4Kids' collection of 50 of the best children's books with diverse main characters, browse our feature: Diverse Voices - Children's Books that Celebrate Difference

Read about last year's figures in the 7th annual CLPE Reflecting Realities

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