The UK’s oldest prize for children’s books is to be restructured after a report into failings that left 2017’s award shortlist entirely white

The UK’s oldest prize for children’s literature, the Carnegie medal, has promised long-term change following a review of its lack of diversity, which one respondent said stemmed from the fact that “literature in the UK is an unapologetic bastion of white privilege”.

All-white Carnegie medal longlist provokes anger from children's authors Read more

The independent diversity review was prompted by outrage at the all-white, 20-author longlist for the 2017 Carnegie. The prize was established in 1935 but has never been won by a black, Asian or minority ethnic (BAME) writer.

Chaired by Dr Margaret Casely-Hayford, the review consulted more than 600 people, from librarians to children, with researchers uncovering a lack of awareness of titles by authors of colour among librarians. The report also found there was a general lack of titles starring BAME characters or written by BAME authors being published, with a corresponding lack of visibility for the books that did feature BAME characters.

The report pointed to the racial monotone of UK librarians – a 2015 survey of the workforce found that 97% self-identify as white – as a possible influence on the Carnegie prize, which is judged by librarians.

One respondent said: “There is bias – even though it may be unconscious – every step of the way. It is the responsibility of those with a voice in the publishing industry to seek out diverse books and help to create the awareness that will lead to change.”

The Carnegie report follows a recent study from the Centre for Literacy in Primary Education, which found that only 4% of the children’s books published in 2017 featured BAME characters, and just 1% included a BAME main character.

Casely-Hayford said it was “evident that the current state of diversity, representation and inclusion in children’s books must improve”, and that it was essential that the Carnegie and Kate Greenaway awards “embody the open, positive and inclusive spirit of libraries”.

She made a series of recommendations for librarians’ association CILIP, which include expanding the diversity profile of the award’s judges, opening up the nominations process and raising members’ awareness of diverse books. She also recommended considering the inclusion of writing about different backgrounds as an indicator of quality.

“It is critical that we get this right, and for the awards to truly and fully champion diversity, inclusion and representation. I am delighted that CILIP is taking this opportunity to offer children and young people the diverse literature they need and deserve to inspire them throughout their lives,” she said.

By recognising diverse books and creators, she added, “the awards will increase the likelihood of more such books being published, giving more opportunity for them to be nominated, and increasing the likelihood of their being able to win prizes. This would create a virtuous circle with more such books being written, illustrated and published, creating a larger source of role models to inspire young readers to become future writers.”

CILIP chief executive Nick Poole said the report “provides an opportunity to recognise and reinforce the message that width of diversity and quality are synonymous”. He said the body would be taking immediate action to address the report’s findings, including opening up its nominations process to external nominating bodies, bringing a “broader range of perspectives and experiences” to its judging panel, providing judges with diversity training and launching a quarterly publication promoting new authors.

Poole added that children’s literature and illustration have “a unique power to shine a light on the world as it is and to help us to imagine a better one – and because of this we have an immense responsibility in how we develop and promote these awards as ethical librarians … I am pleased that we have been able to take action that will impact immediately, as well as looking ahead to long-term change.”



