“When I look back, I am so impressed again with the life-giving power of literature. If I were a young person today, trying to gain a sense of myself in the world, I would do that again by reading, just as I did when I was young.”
― Maya Angelou
I am a firm believer that one of the best ways to create a cohesive global community is for us all to attempt to gain an understanding of other people’s lives. If we are able to empathise with the experiences of others, we are far less likely to be dismissive or prejudicial. A brilliant way to open our eyes is to read. Reading gives us the opportunity to walk in the shoes of a diverse cast of characters. As well as this, it is important that we are all able to see ourselves portrayed in literature, to know that authors and illustrators deem us worthy of featuring in an exciting story.
As a teacher and a voracious reader myself, I am passionate about raising the profile of high-quality, inclusive books. The list of books featured on this website is by no means exhaustive, I am adding more titles as I discover them and I welcome your recommendations. It is my hope that this search tool will lead you to your next unforgettable and enjoyable read, and that on your reading journey you are able to encounter individuals and stories which help you to gain a sense of yourself and of those with whom you share this world.
