We asked 12 brilliant authors, poets and illustrators to recommend their favourite children's books in which they felt represented.
The authors suggested the first book where they saw themselves on the page – or learned something about representation. We received some brilliant entries from authors including the Children’s Laureate Cressida Cowell and the fantastic illustrator and creative Dapo Adeola.
Finding characters who look similar, or share similar characteristics or circumstances, can make a difference to how much a child enjoys reading and could transform them into life-long readers. We know that just one book can make the difference.
Please find the book list below, that includes 12 recommendations suitable for children from 0-10+.
We hope you enjoy discovering the new stories!
0 to 5-year-olds
So Much by Trish Cooke (Walker Books)
Recommended by Dapo Adeola, co-creator and illustrator of Clean Up (puffin).
Julian at the Wedding by Jessica Love (Walker Books)
Recommended by Nathan Bryon, co-creator and author of Clean Up (Puffin).
Elmer by David McKee (Andersen Press)
Recommended by Steve Antony, author and illustrator of Amazing (Hodder Children's Books).
6 to 10-year-olds
Asha and the Spirit Bird by Jasbinder Bilan (Chicken House Books)
Recommended by Bali Rai, author of Mohinder's War (Bloomsbury Children's Books).
Zombierella: Fairytales Gone Bad by Joseph Coelho (Walker Books)
Recommended by Sophie Dahl, author of Madame Badobedah, illustrated by Lauren O'Hara (Walker Books).
10-year-olds and up
Superfudge by Judy Blume (Macmillan Children's Books
Recommended by Konnie Huq, author of Fearless Fairytales (Picadilly Press).
Eleanor and Park by Rainbow Rowell (Orion Children's Books)
Recommended by Kevin Tsang, co-author (with Katie Tsang) of Dragon Mountain (Simon & Schuster).
Wuthering Heights by Emily Brontë (Wordsworth Classics)
Recommended by Tom Palmer, author of Roy of the Rovers: Rocky (Rebellion Publishing)
The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe by CS Lewis (Harper Collins Children's Books)
Recommended by Karl Nova, author of Rhythm and Poetry (Caboodle Books).
Walkabout by James Vance Marshall (Puffin)
Recommended by Ross Welford, author of The Kid Who Came from Space (Harper Collins Children's Books).
Dear Martin by Nic Stone (Simon and Schuster)
Recommended by Dean Atta, author of The Black Flamingo (Hodder Children's Books).
Break the Mold by Sinead Burke, illustrated by Natalie Byrne (Wren and Rook)
Recommended by Cressida Cowell, author of Wizards of Once: Never and Forever (Hodder Children's Books).
