More than a third of children don’t feel represented in the books they read

This story version has been formatted as an on-air script for broadcast outlets. See the original research story here.

MORE THAN A THIRD OF CHILDREN DON’T FEEL REPRESENTED IN THE BOOKS THEY READ – BECAUSE OF THEIR GENDER OR ETHNICITY. 

THAT’S ACCORDING TO A NEW POLL OF 1,000 AMERICAN CHILDREN AGES 6 TO 12 AND THEIR PARENTS.

RESULTS REVEALED NEARLY THREE QUARTERS (74%) READ REGULARLY AND IDENTIFY CHARACTERS THAT ALWAYS LOOK THE SAME AND DON’T REPRESENT DIFFERENT VIEWS.

ONLY 13% OF PARENTS HAD SEEN MINORITY RACES REPRESENTED IN THE BOOKS THEIR CHILDREN READ. 

THREE IN FIVE (62%) THINK THEIR CHILD WOULD BE MORE INCLINED TO READ MORE OFTEN IF THE MAIN CHARACTERS REPRESENTED SIMILARITIES TO THEM.

THE STUDY BY ONEPOLL AND WONDERBLY OTHER CHARACTERISTICS CHILDREN HAVEN’T SEEN IN THEIR BOOKS, ACCORDING TO THEIR PARENTS, INCLUDE PHYSICAL DISABILITIES, GENDER IDENTITY AND RELIGIOUS BELIEFS. 

SKIN CONDITIONS, ALLERGIES AND WEARING GLASSES ARE ALSO RARELY COVERED.

TOP 20 WAYS KIDS AREN’T REPRESENTED IN BOOKS ACCORDING TO PARENTS

Being transgender

A physical disability e.g. being in a wheelchair, not having certain limbs, being blind etc

Alopecia

Skin conditions

Female or non-binary/alternative gender identity

Having same sex parents

Having lost a parent

Having dyslexia

Being significantly under/above average height for their age

Non-heterosexual sexuality

Religious beliefs

Living in a flat

Minority race

Having divorced parents

Allergies

Wearing glasses

Not having a brother or sister

Non-native nationality

Wearing braces on your teeth

Uncommon hair color e.g. red hair