Inspiration comes from a positive self-image, which requires consistent nurturing. For children, a great sense of self comes from identification with characters in the stories they see and hear - seeing the success of these characters inspires success within themselves. Therefore, celebrating representation, especially in children’s literature, can be an extremely effective way of fostering inclusion, empathy, understanding, and learning while teaching kids to be themselves and strive for success.

Celebrating Inclusion

Seeing yourself in a text is of the utmost importance for underrepresented communities. People of disabled communities, communities of color, queer communities, and blended families are often left out of the traditional children’s book canon, leaving some children feeling excluded and undervalued. Examples of representation for people with disabilities, like CRP’s Hide and Shh, demonstrates how being different doesn’t mean that you can’t be a participant. Learning and speaking differently can feel isolating, however, through stories of inclusion children learn that they are valued and can raise the confidence of those who see themselves represented in the text. 

Much of children’s books are overwhelmingly centered on stories with white protagonists. This failure to create stories that demonstrate diversity, both in story and characters, can deter kids from seeing themselves in “leading roles” in their everyday lives. It’s developmentally important to demonstrate how those in marginalized communities are worthy, not just of inclusion, but of roles as leaders and change-makers. Similarly, children of blended families or other non-traditional family structures fail to see their situation represented, which leaves them feeling ashamed or embarrassed. However, stories like Three Pockets Full frontline these family situations, inspiring a thriving, proud culture.

Celebrating these stories of inclusion, where disabled people, queer people, people of color, and non-traditional family structures are centralized to, and lead, the plot enables children across the world to feel seen and heard. Not only do these characters inspire kids, but they also define positive emotional modeling, leading to happier, healthier, and more well-adjusted youth, who grow into global citizens who inspire real, positive change in the world. 

Celebrating Empathy

In addition to celebrating the inclusion that comes with increased representation, there’s also a benefit in fostering a mindset of empathy. Stories in children’s books create a sense of identification, and emotional connection, serving as windows into the situations of other people. Within the story, kids learn to understand lives that are different from their own and find validation in their experiences - they build an identification with the challenges and joys that the characters experience, establishing a sense of community beyond their traditional bounds of interaction. 

In stories of diversity for children, in particular, there’s an opportunity to introduce young readers and listeners to social issues like racial inequality, poverty, and mental health in celebratory, age-appropriate ways. Learning about these issues at a young age establishes a social-emotional state that promotes strong, healthy future communities and a sense of social responsibility.

Ultimately, children’s books are a representation of other’s struggles, and maintain that everyone moves through life due to different circumstances. Children who engage in books that celebrate representation are more likely to develop strong relationships because they’ve learned to be kind, accepting, and encouraging - a great example of this can be seen in CRP’s book Chocolate Milk, Por Favor. 

Everyone’s got their own story, and beginning that journey at a young age can inspire the next generation of great leaders! No matter where you’re coming from, everyone deserves to see themselves represented, and we’re all striving to build a kinder, more inclusive, global community. So let’s celebrate the wins and encourage representation wherever we see it, especially in children’s books!

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Logan May is a senior at Bowling Green State University, where he’s studying English while double minoring in marketing and writing. In his free time, he can be found reading or performing on stage, promoting his passions on and off the page.