In this sneak preview of Whose Stories?, writer and teacher Darren Chetty reflects on a classroom experience that highlights how vital it is that Black children see themselves represented in the books they read.

Whose Stories? is a podcast about children’s books, diversity, and the role of archives, brought to you by Newcastle University and Seven Stories: The National Centre for Children’s Books. In the first season of our podcast, we’re exploring the story of children’s books and Black Britain. You’ll hear from authors, illustrators, and changemakers in the world of children’s literature, including the multi-award-winning writers John Agard, Valerie Bloom, and Beverley Naidoo. You’ll be introduced to Seven Stories’ unique collection of archival material and learn about why building a truly representative national archive of children’s books is so critical, and we’ll draw on the expertise of researchers at Newcastle University to put a spotlight on issues of diversity and representation in children’s literature and its history within these contexts. Ultimately, we’ll show you what we can gain from making children’s books more inclusive – and what’s lost when the UK’s children don’t find themselves reflected in the words (and worlds) they find on the page. Subscribe and stay tuned.

Introducing Whose Stories?, a podcast about children’s books, diversity, and the role of archives, brought to you by Newcastle University and Seven Stories: The National Centre for Children’s Books. In the first season of our podcast, we’re exploring the story of children’s books and Black Britain. You’ll hear from authors, illustrators, and changemakers in the world of children’s literature, including the multi-award-winning writers John Agard, Valerie Bloom, and Beverley Naidoo. You’ll be introduced to Seven Stories’ unique collection of archival material and learn about why building a truly representative national archive of children’s books is so critical, and we’ll draw on the expertise of researchers at Newcastle University to put a spotlight on issues of diversity and representation in children’s literature and its history within these contexts. Ultimately, we’ll show you what we can gain from making children’s books more inclusive – and what’s lost when the UK’s children don’t find themselves reflected in the words (and worlds) they find on the page. Subscribe and stay tuned.

This trailer was produced for the Vital North Partnership by Better Lemon Creative Audio. It was written, produced, and narrated by Rufaro Faith Mazarura. Editing and Executive Production by Hannah Hethmon.

With the help of storytellers, publishers, the Seven Stories archives, and experts from Newcastle university, the first episode of Whose Stories? explores why it’s so important for children to read diverse books and why we need more Black Brits in every aspect of children’s literature. We’ll head over to Seven Stories Museum to talk about their aim to curate a truly representative national archive of children’s books, and we’ll discuss the fact that - while children growing up in the UK today come from a broad variety of cultures, families and backgrounds - the stories written about and for them don’t reflect the diverse reality of the nation we’re living in. And that lack of representation matters, because when children and young people see themselves in the books they read, they are empowered. And when they don’t see themselves, that absence negates the fundamental sense of belonging which every child needs - and deserves - to thrive.