A is for Activist: why children’s books are getting political
Children’s literature is seeing a ‘seismic shift’ in diversity as authors say they want to make sure children of color see themselves represented
Several years ago, Susan Darraj’s 10-year-old daughter came to her with a question: “How come none of these books have Arab or Palestinian girls in them?” she asked.
The answer – that children’s chapter book characters are overwhelmingly white – didn’t sit well with Darraj, so she decided to change it. Or at least be part of changing it.