Diversity in Children’s Books
An Author’s Perspective
Archive Webinar
Watch award-winning children’s author and illustrator Ken Wilson-Max as he shares his perspective on diversity in children’s books—why it matters, how it’s evolving, and what it means for the stories we share in schools.
Originally delivered as a live SLS UK webinar, this recording also includes a presentation of SLS UK’s Diversity Booklist, packed with titles that reflect every child’s world.
Register free to access the full recording and resources.
Ken Wilson-Max
Born in Zimbabwe, Ken Wilson-Max lives in London. He has written and illustrated over 50 books for children. He also illustrates things for grow-ups and businesses and publishes work from other creators through Alanna Max.
As a younger man, Ken made stories from what he saw in his travels. He was excited and so the work was exciting. As he became more experienced and familiar with his surroundings, he saw that everyone had a story to tell. He became determined to inspire others to tell theirs. He found this made his stories much better. It also allowed him to experiment and learn. Since 2014, he’s also been publishing the Chicken Newspaper for children all over the world.
Why it’s worth a watch
What does diversity really mean in children’s publishing – and why does it matter in your classroom?
Award-winning author and illustrator Ken Wilson-Max explores these questions in this inspiring SLS UK webinar, challenging us to think about how books can reflect the real world children live in, not a narrow version of it.
Ken grew up in a family rich in variety – different faiths, skin tones, and traditions all under one roof. “For us, diversity was normal,” he says. But when he entered the UK publishing industry, he realised that reality wasn’t showing up in children’s books.
That discovery shaped his mission as both writer and publisher. Through Alanna Max Books, Ken builds stories where inclusion comes naturally. “We make fantastic books that happen to feature the people you see when you walk down the street,” he says. “It shouldn’t be an issue – it should be normal.”
Books like Astro Girl and The Drum show that inclusion can be joyful, everyday, and inspiring. Teachers now use Astro Girl to explore science and gender in the classroom – proof that representation doesn’t just open minds, it opens learning.
Ken also challenges how we use the word diversity. He prefers inclusion: “Inclusion says, I know you’re different, but I value what you have to say. It’s about what happens next – bringing everyone into the same conversation.”
In the webinar, Ken talks about how small publishers are leading the way, why early years books are key to lasting change, and how teachers and librarians can make the biggest difference by choosing inclusive stories for their shelves.
His message is practical, hopeful, and full of warmth: change starts with the books we put in children’s hands.
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