Representation Matters – Buy Books By Black Authors
“Buying books by Black authors is a political act….We want to dismantle and disrupt racism and push for change.” – Kelly Starling Lyons
The 2019 numbers on diversity in KidLit/YA by the Cooperative Children’s Book Center are out, and they are similar to figures from 2018. Of 3,718 books surveyed, 11.9% represent Black/African characters, up from 10% in 2018.
“Taken together, books about White children, talking bears, trucks, monsters, potatoes, etc. represent nearly three quarters (71%) of children’s and young adult books published in 2019,” said librarian Madelyn Tyner.
Books about Asians also rose slightly to 8.7% from 7% in 2018, while children’s books featuring Latinx and Native American characters stayed flat at 5.3% percent and 1 percent.
What’s disheartening to me is that not only are Black characters rarely given leading roles in children’s literature, but Black authors aren’t being given a chance to tell our own stories. Just 46.4% of all surveyed books featuring Black and African characters were penned by Black people in 2019. That means that over half of the traditionally published children’s books about Black people aren’t even written by us.
One hundred percent of surveyed books featuring Asians were written by Asians, and 95.7 percent of surveyed books featuring Latinx characters had Latinx creators.
Early this week, I listened in on a webinar by the Authors Guild entitled “Black Voices Pushing for Change in Children’s Book Publishing.” Traditionally published Black children’s authors, publishers, and book agents, highlighted long-standing racism in the publishing industry and called for change. They talked about the struggles even well-established Black authors face getting book deals and getting similar pay advances as others. I learned that less than five percent of the agents, editors, and marketers in the publishing industry are Black.
As an independent author looking to break into the traditional establishment, hearing this news is discouraging. Getting a foot in the door for any author is a lengthy challenge (1-2 years to secure an agent, 2 or more years to get a book deal, 1-2 years before the accepted book is published). Add in the fact that few in the traditional publishing world look like me, or the assumption that “black kids don’t read,” and things seem bleak.
Still, I keep publishing because I love what I do, and feedback from parents, librarians and readers of all races tells me they appreciate my work. I continue to keep the faith that change is on the horizon. Just like I never imagined I’d live during a pandemic or see all the racial upheaval that’s going on in our country, anything is possible. I’m keeping my fingers crossed that the diversification of the publishing industry will speed up to allow more opportunity for all.
Thanks to the readers who have supported my work and purchased books by Black authors. If you are looking to diversify your library, consider books by some of the independent Black children’s authors listed below:
Picture Books
Audrey Lost Her Shoe by Felicia Lee
B is For Breathe by Dr. Melissa Munro Boyd
Black Girl Shine by Shavondra Walker
Big Hair, Don’t Care by Crystal Swain-Bates
C.J.’s Big Dream by C.J. Watson
Have You Thanked an Inventor Today by Patrice McLaurin
King Khalid is Proud by Veronica Chapman
Little Miss is Destined For Greatness by Amber Bogan
Simone Visits the Museum by Dr. Kelsi Bracmort
Ten Fingers Ten Toes by Yolanda McElroy
The Message in the Mirror by Katrina Denise
The Rumble Hunters by Courtney B. Dunlap
What If We Were All the Same by C.M. Harris
Your Own Kind of Beautiful by Tamara Pray Frazier
Chapter Books/Middle Grade
Anyia Dream of a Warrior by Jacquitta A. McManus
Beyond the Kitchen: How to Cook Up Success With Life’s Mistakes by Nigel and Shane Mushambi
Danny Dollar Millionaire Extraordinaire – The Lemonade Escapade by Allan Jackson
Feyi Fay Series by Simisayo Brownstone
Jaden Toussaint The Greatest by Marti Dumas
Nerdi Bunny Series by Aisha Tombs
The Crunchy Life Book Series by Glen Mourning
The Sophie Washington Series by Tonya Duncan Ellis
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Tonya Duncan Ellis is author of the Amazon Best Selling, Readers’ Favorite “Five Star” rated Sophie Washington children’s book series, geared toward readers ages 8-12 and is a member of the Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators (SCBWI).
www.tonyaduncanellis.com
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