Diverse picture book collections
Do you want to improve the diversity in your library’s children’s picture book collection?
Update your collection by purchasing some of the books listed below, suggested by NSW public library staff and assessed by our academic partners in this project.
Diverse picture book lists
The lists contain details of picture books focusing on:
- Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander characters
- Culturally and linguistically diverse characters
(please note the focus is English language books that feature CALD characters) - Gender, sex and sexually diverse characters
- Characters with disability
- Characters from regional or rural areas
Assessment criteria
The following assessment criteria were developed by Helen Caple and Ping Tian.
- Inclusiveness
The picture book includes characters from diverse backgrounds.
- Character representation/characterisation
The characters are represented in a non-stereotypical manner with an identity that is described and developed through the story.
- Theme
The theme of the picture book is closely related to issues of diversity. It is developed through the story, using narrative to create and share lived experiences of the characters.
- Multimodal storytelling
The illustrations and text work together to develop ambience and atmosphere, creating a complex world. The story world is open to different interpretations and emotional responses to the characters and themes.
- Educational engagement
The picture book serves as an educational tool for the discussion of diversity issues for library staff, carers and teachers. This could be through the story and theme or through additional information or background content in the book.
Featured books
Diverse picture book project
The Diverse Picture Book project began in 2020 when the State Library was contacted by Helen Caple and Ping Tian to assist them in their research into diversity in picture book collections in NSW public libraries. Helen is an Associate Professor in Communications and Journalism at UNSW. Ping is an Honorary Associate in the Department of Linguistics as the University of Sydney. Helen and Ping have recently been exploring the representation of diverse characters in Australian children’s picture books.
A webinar discussing the research findings was held in 2022.