Black, South Asian, and disabled characters in children’s books are disappearing, new study finds

New research finds just 47 of 2,189 UK children’s books published in 2025 featured Black main characters

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Published: October 6, 2026 at 10:49 AM

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The number of children’s books featuring Black main characters fell by 7.8% in 2025, while representation of several other minoritised groups also declined, new research into UK children’s publishing has found.

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Inclusive Books for Children (IBC) analysed 2,189 traditionally published books for children aged 1 to 9, including baby and toddler books, picture books and children’s fiction. Just 150, or 6.9%, featured main characters from the marginalised groups covered by the research.

The charity’s Excluded Voices 2026 report also found that the number of books featuring marginalised main characters fell by 8% compared with 2024, although their overall proportion increased because the children’s publishing market as a whole shrank more sharply.

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Black representation fell, while gaps remain across ethnic groups

Of the 2,189 books published in the categories studied, 47, or 2.1%, featured Black main characters. This was a 7.8% fall on 2024, despite Black children making up around 8.5% of 1- to 9-year-olds in England and Wales.

The report found an even wider gap for South Asian and MENA representation. There were 30 books, or 1.4%, with South Asian main characters, compared with around 12.4% of children aged 1 to 9 being South Asian.

Only three books, representing 0.1% of those surveyed, featured MENA main characters. Children of MENA heritage make up around 2.2% of the 1- to 9-year-old population.

Overall, 27% of 1- to 9-year-olds identified as belonging to a minoritised ethnicity, but just 5.8% of books featured a main character from a minoritised ethnicity.

Why can’t a child simply be South Asian, disabled, neurodivergent or bilingual and also be the hero of an ordinary story about friendship, adventure, loss or joy?

Dr Stella Louis, early years consultant, trainer and author

Why everyday representation matters

The report highlights the importance of what it calls "incidental representation", where a character’s identity is present but does not drive the story.

Dr Stella Louis, an early years consultant, trainer and author, said: “What struck me most was the continued reliance on books where diversity is the story. Festival books. Information books. Stories where a child’s difference is the main focus. Those books absolutely have a place, but I found myself wondering why we still see so little incidental representation. Why can’t a child simply be South Asian, disabled, neurodivergent or bilingual and also be the hero of an ordinary story about friendship, adventure, loss or joy?”

The report says the disparity matters because books can help children see themselves and others in the world around them. IBC says its work is based on the belief that exposure to a wide range of literature can help children develop empathy and confidence in their identities.

Disabled representation fell sharply

One of the starkest declines was in picture books featuring disabled main characters. The number fell by 60% in 2025, to just two books, and neither was created by a disabled Own Voice creator.

In children’s fiction for 5- to 9-year-olds, three books featured disabled main characters. One was created by an Own Voice author, marking the first such title since 2023.

The report defines an Own Voice creator as an author or illustrator who shares the marginalised identity of the main character they create.

There were some signs of progress

The picture was not entirely negative. Neurodivergent representation increased in picture books, from three titles in 2024 to 13 in 2025. There was also a modest increase in children’s fiction for 5- to 9-year-olds, from four books to five.

In baby and toddler books, the number featuring marginalised main characters increased by 29.4%, from 17 to 22. The category also recorded its first neurodivergent and disabled main characters, with both coming from Own Voice creators.

However, IBC stresses that these improvements come from a very low starting point, with the absolute number of books featuring neurodivergent main characters still small.

Authors call for broader stories

The report also raises concerns about the types of stories being published. All three books featuring MENA main characters in 2025 were refugee narratives.

We’re denied ownership of our narratives while reinforcing the danger of a single story — one that defines us by war and displacement rather than our rich cultures and heritage.

Nadine Kaadan, author-illustrator

Author-illustrator Nadine Kaadan said: “What is even harder to swallow is the books that have been published are not Own-Voice and focus only on refugee experiences. This shows how often we’re denied ownership of our narratives while reinforcing the danger of a single story — one that defines us by war and displacement rather than our rich cultures and heritage.”

The report says children of MENA heritage need stories covering a broader range of themes and experiences, including more incidental representation.

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IBC says the findings show that publishers, booksellers, librarians, teachers, schools and parents all have a role to play in ensuring children encounter a wider range of voices and experiences through books.

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