Children do more than listen to stories; they build worlds from them. From picture books to animated films, the characters they encounter shape how they see themselves and others.
These stories define what’s possible, what’s admirable, and what’s “normal.” And yet, for millions of children, especially those of African descent, these stories rarely reflect their own identities. That absence speaks volumes.
Every child deserves to see heroes who look like them, heroes whose greatness is not limited by race, culture, or geography.
Why representation matters
Representation in children’s literature isn’t just about diversity—it’s about affirmation. When children see characters that resemble them in powerful, positive roles, it helps build confidence, pride, and a belief that they too can achieve greatness.
According to a 2022 study by the Centre for Literacy in Primary Education (CLPE), only 9 percent of UK children’s books featured a main character of colour, while 33 percent of England’s school-age children are from minority ethnic backgrounds. That gap sends an unintended message: your story is less important. Your place in the world is peripheral.
Telling the full story of humanity
Children deserve to read stories that reflect the full tapestry of human experience, stories steeped in African cultures, histories, and triumphs. Books should shine a light on real-life African heroes, figures who changed the course of history not through superpowers, but through courage, conviction, and vision.
Take Moshood Kashimawo Olawale (MKO) Abiola, a Nigerian businessman and philanthropist who won the 1993 presidential election—one widely considered Nigeria’s freest and fairest. Though the election was annulled and Abiola was never allowed to lead, his story teaches children the value of standing firm in one’s principles, even when the cost is great.
Or Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, who became Africa’s first elected female president in 2006. She led Liberia through recovery after a brutal civil war, stabilised the economy, and rebuilt the education system. Her leadership earned her the Nobel Peace Prize in 2011, and her legacy shows girls across the world that women can lead nations.
These stories are for everyone
African stories are not regional; they’re global. When children in Europe, Asia, and the Americas read about leaders like Abiola and Sirleaf, it breaks stereotypes and widens their understanding of greatness. It teaches that strength, wisdom, and leadership are not bound to one continent or skin tone.
A 2023 review of over 3,400 children’s books by the Cooperative Children’s Book Centre (CCBC) found that just 13 percent featured Black or African characters. That’s striking, especially when Africa accounts for 18 percent of the global population. This under-representation doesn’t just limit access to knowledge; it dims opportunities for cultural connection and pride.
Heroes in familiar places
Children don’t need stories with flying capes to find inspiration. They need stories where the hero wears local fabrics, speaks their mother tongue, and walks streets they recognise. These stories show that bravery has many faces, and greatness has many names, including names from Africa.
Children’s books should do more than entertain; they should inspire. They should show that leadership is not foreign. That courage can look like them. That the future might just wear their smile.
Olamidotun Votu-Obada is a Senior Executive, Social Entrepreneur, celebrated global children’s book author, speaker, and podcast host. With a background in Business Economics, she has extensive experience as a Management Consultant. She holds a BSc in Business Economics from the University of Warwick and a master’s in International Financial Economics from the University of Reading, both in the United Kingdom.
