Books need to reflect pupils' lives - Lenny Henry

Sir Lenny Henry, a well-known actor and writer, recently attended a special event in Birmingham that was part of the Black British Book Festival. This festival is dedicated to celebrating the contributions of Black British authors and promoting literacy among children. During the event, over 20 children dressed up in costumes representing their favorite book characters, and they were thrilled to take pictures with Sir Lenny Henry in front of vibrant banners that showcased the festival. Sir Lenny emphasized the importance of representation in literature, stating that it is crucial for children from all backgrounds to see characters in books that reflect their own lives and experiences. He believes that every child should feel included in the stories they read. This week, millions of children across the country participated in World Book Day by dressing up as their beloved characters. Sir Lenny was in Birmingham to support children from schools with low literacy rates, and he spoke at the Reading for Smiles Children's Book Festival. During his speech, he highlighted the transformative power of reading, saying, 'Reading opens doors, fuels dreams, and builds confidence. ' He shared his personal experiences growing up, mentioning that he read many classic books like the Narnia series and The Hobbit, but he often felt a lack of representation in those stories. He expressed the importance of children seeing themselves in the literature they consume. Inspired by the works of Toni Morrison, Sir Lenny decided to write books that he wished had existed during his childhood. He noted that the literary landscape has changed significantly, with authors like Malorie Blackman creating diverse and inclusive characters that resonate with young readers today. Sir Lenny discussed his own book, The Boy with Wings, which tells the story of a little black boy from Dudley who possesses superpowers. He remarked, 'I never read a book like that when I was a kid, and I've always wanted to see a book like that. ' Selina Brown, the founder and chief executive of the Black British Book Festival, shared that for many of the children attending the event, it was their first experience at a literature festival. She and her team were dedicated to making it a memorable occasion, aiming to inspire a love for reading among the young attendees. The festival provided a platform for children to engage with literature and discover the joy of storytelling. Sir Lenny Henry's message resonates strongly: literature should reflect the diverse lives of all children, and it is essential for every child to have the opportunity to see themselves represented in the stories they read.