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.