UK Children's Books With Black Main Characters Down 8%

The number of children's books published in the UK featuring Black main characters experienced a decline of nearly 8% in 2025, according to research conducted by Inclusive Books for Children. This trend indicates a widening gap in representation within the UK publishing industry for young readers.

In 2025, only 47 out of 2,189 books published for children under the age of 10 featured a Black main character. This figure represents approximately 2.1% of the total titles released. The reported decrease of 7.8% from the previous year is particularly concerning given that Black children constitute about 8.5% of the population within this age bracket in England and Wales. The study also found that a mere 150 titles out of the 2,189 published in the UK last year focused on characters from minority ethnic groups, disabled individuals, or neurodivergent individuals, underscoring a broader issue of underrepresentation across various demographics.

Inclusive Books for Children's research analyzed a significant volume of published works, aiming to track and promote diversity within children's literature. The organization's findings suggest a regression in efforts to ensure that the characters in children's books reflect the diverse society in which they are read. This decline in representation can have a profound impact on the self-perception and sense of belonging for Black children, who may not see themselves reflected in the stories they consume. Conversely, it also limits the exposure of non-Black children to diverse narratives and characters, potentially hindering the development of empathy and understanding.

The findings from Inclusive Books for Children's study are based on an analysis of books published for children under 10 years old in the UK during 2025. The organization's stated mission is to advocate for greater inclusivity in children's literature, making this year-on-year decrease a direct contradiction to their goals and the broader societal push for diversity and inclusion. The disparity between the percentage of Black children in the UK and the percentage of books featuring Black main characters highlights a systemic issue within the publishing sector that requires attention and intervention to ensure equitable representation.