Why Enterprise is a partner to the National Literacy Trust

DRIVE takes a closer look at the importance of representation in children’s books as many young people – especially those from ethnic minority backgrounds - don’t see themselves in what they read according to research by the National Literacy Trust.

That's why Enterprise partnered with the National Literacy Trust through its ROAD Forward programme to distribute 25,000 books written by Sir Lenny Henry to primary school children across the UK ahead of Black History Month.

Children and young people need to see themselves in what they read.

From a young age, we grapple with feelings of identity, belonging and inclusion. What we read, listen to and watch can shape our perspectives as we navigate the big questions of who we are and who we can become.

Often this starts with the books we read as children. Books can provide insight into a variety of different lives and cultures, and they have an important role to play in holding up a mirror to the world. What they reflect can impact how young readers see themselves and the world around them.

When young people see themselves in what they read, it can make them feel like they belong, be inspired, and encourage them to read more.

However, research by the National Literacy Trust reveals that 32.7% of children and young people aged nine to 18 say that they don’t see themselves in what they read, which rises to 40% when you look at those from ethnic minority backgrounds[1]. This is particularly true for those of Black heritage.

This isn’t surprising after a report[2] finds that only 8% of the children’s books published in 2020 featured a main character from a minority ethnic background, despite this group making up 33.9% of primary school children in England.

“When young people see themselves in what they read, it can make them feel like they belong, be inspired, and encourage them to read more”

The under-representation of Black and Brown characters in children’s books can impact engagement with reading and, consequently, its lifelong benefits. For example, reading for pleasure is linked to better attainment at school[3], higher lifetime earning potential[4] and improved mental health[5].

That’s why Enterprise partnered with the National Literacy Trust to donate 25K copies of Sir Lenny Henry’s book ‘A Boy With Wings’ to primary school children across the UK.

To coincide with UK Black History Month, the book was specially chosen as it is written by a Black author and features Black characters, giving children from different backgrounds the chance to see themselves in what they read in an exciting adventure book.

Sir Lenny Henry said he wrote The Boy With Wings because he didn’t see Black heroes in the books he read growing up, and wants all children to see themselves appear centre stage in fun, inspiring stories.

“Sir Lenny Henry said he wrote The Boy With Wings because he didn’t see Black heroes in the books he read growing up, and wants all children to see themselves appear centre stage in fun, inspiring stories”

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