Key Stage 1

We recognise the key role that children’s literature plays across the curriculum in supporting children’s progress as readers and writers. That’s why we selected these diverse and inclusive books for children in Key Stage 1, which feature characters that are traditionally under-represented. 

This list will be updated as more books are released. If you have any suggestions to add to this list, please email SST.education@southwark.gov.uk. 

​You can find more diverse and inclusive lists for other primary year groups here.

The Literacy Tree has also developed a Representation of Race and Culture Booklist, which you can download here. ^{(pdf, 138kb)}

Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic Main Characters 

1. Hair Love by Matthew Cherry

Hair Love is an ode to loving your natural hair - and a celebration of daddies and daughters everywhere. Zuri knows her hair is beautiful, but it has a mind of its own! It kinks, coils, and curls every which way. Mum always does Zuri's hair just the way she likes it - so when Daddy steps in to style it for an extra special occasion, he has a lot to learn.

2. Look Up!  by Nathan Bryon

Look Up! is bursting with energy and passion about science and space. Meet hilarious, science-mad chatterbox, Rocket - she's going to be the greatest astronaut, star-catcher, space-traveller that has ever lived! But can she convince her big brother to stop looking down at his phone and start looking up at the stars?

3. Eyes That Kiss in the Corners by Joanna Ho 

A young Asian girl notices that her eyes look different from her peers'. They have big, round eyes and long lashes. She realizes that her eyes are like her mother’s, her grandmother's, and her little sister's. Drawing from the strength of these powerful women in her life, she recognises her own beauty and discovers a path to self-love and empowerment.

4. My Beautiful Voice by Joseph Coelho

Follow a child who is so shy she doesn't speak. With the encouragement on an enchanting and magical teacher, she writes a poem. But a poem is meant to be read aloud! She musters all her courage, stands at the front of the class and shows her classmates that she does have a voice. And her voice is beautiful. 

5. Aziza's Secret Fairy Door by Lola Morayo

A mysterious gift arrives on Aziza's birthday. It is a secret fairy door that will whisk her away to Shimmerton, a magical world with princesses, naughty fairies, shapeshifters, unicorn shopkeepers and mischief around every corner. But when the precious jewelled doorknob is taken, Aziza is trapped. Will she ever see her home and family again? Maybe her new friends, Peri and Tiko, can help. 

Cultural Diversity

1. The Proudest Blue: A Story of Hijab and Family by Ibtihaj Muhammad 

With her new backpack and light-up shoes, Faizah knows the first day of school is going to be special. It's the start of a brand new year and, best of all, it's her older sister Asiya's first day of hijab - a hijab of beautiful blue fabric. But not everyone sees hijab as beautiful, and in the face of hurtful, confusing words, Faizah will find new ways to be strong.

2. The Most Exciting Eid Paperback by Zeba Talkhan

Safa is so excited for Eid-al-Fitr. She loves drawing henna patterns on her hands, decorating her home and munching on biryani, kebabs and samosas. It is the perfect day.Then the best part comes: she gets to open her presents! She is gifted a shiny pink bicycle. The only thing is she absolutely doesn’t want to share with her cousin, Alissa. As her mum takes her on an adventure to gift delicious Eid treats to all their neighbours, Safa will realise how wonderful it is to make others happy.

3. Polonius the Pit Pony by Richard O'Neill

When Polonius the pit pony escapes from the coal mine he’s worked in all his life, he joins a family of Travellers. Although he enjoys the freedom and the fresh air that their lifestyle offers, he wishes he could give something back to the family in return. When the chance arrives for him to do something to help, he rises to the challenge, and uses his intelligence and skills to save the day. 

4. Kasia's Surprise by Stella Gurne

Kasia wishes that she and her mum hadn't moved to the UK – she misses Poland and all her old friends, and most of all she misses her grandparents. As the long school holidays stretch out in front of her, Kasia wonders how she'll fill them: her mum has promised to take her out for some day trips, but the rest of the time she'll be at work. Then Babcia and Dzadek arrive for a surprise visit, and Kasia is delighted! As she proudly shows her grandparents round her new town, Kasia realizes that maybe she's happier here than she thought.

5. Gregory Cool by Caroline Binch 

When Gregory wakes up on his first day in Tobago with his grandparents, his heart sinks. The food is strange, the sun too hot, his cousin Lennox is on another wave length, and there are none of the televisions, video games and other high-tech gadgets that a cool city-boy takes for granted. Gregory adjusts to the strange culture and learns to enjoy the lifestyle of the Caribbean.

6. Little Glow by Katie Sahota 

A rhyming celebration of hope, told through the eyes of an introverted lead character, observing the inspiring ways an inclusive community celebrates light through the year.

7. The Neighbourhood Surprise by Sarah van Dongen

Koya and her friends, Hassan and Alex, love to visit their neighbour, Mrs Fig. When they find out Mrs Fig is moving to a retirement home, they want to help their parents plan her going away party! When cooking for the party, the children are aware of everyone's dietary needs and are excited to prepare yummy vegan and vegetarian food everyone will be able to eat! Everyone on Redbird Road gather to celebrate Mrs Fig and enjoy the food!

8. My Grandma and Me by Mina Javaherbin

While Mina is growing up in Iran, the centre of her world is her grandmother. Whether visiting friends next door, going to the mosque for midnight prayers during Ramadan, or taking an imaginary trip around the planets, Mina and her grandma are never far apart.