…only 11% of children’s books published in 2021 featured a character from a Global Majority background. Even more starkly, just 2% of U.K. children’s authors and illustrators come from these communities.

mY jOURNEY INTO WRITING FOR CHILDREN

Writing for children wasn’t always part of my plan, though my career has consistently brought me into the orbit of young people and their stories. As a writer, educator, and advocate for creative expression, I’ve long believed in the power of words to shape young minds. Over the years, this belief has driven me to deliver writing workshops for children and young people through organizations like First Story, WEM, and the National Literacy Trust. I’ve had the privilege of being a writer-in-residence in three secondary schools, engaging students in the transformative magic of poetry and storytelling.

In my teaching role, I work with 15-19-year-olds, guiding them through GCSE English Language resits. Here, I see firsthand how powerful words can be in building confidence and creating connections. These experiences have deeply influenced my understanding of what young audiences need and how they connect to literature. But until recently, I hadn’t thought of myself as someone who writes specifically for children.

That changed in 2022 when I was selected for the Joseph Coelho/Otter Barry Books/Apples & Snakes, Diversifying Children’s Literature project. This initiative, which aims to amplify underrepresented voices, culminated in the children’s poetry anthology Spin, where five of my poems found a home. It was a pivotal moment—one where I began to see how my voice and perspective could resonate with younger readers.

Then, in 2024, I joined the Apples & Snakes, Simon Mole and CLPE’s Writing for Primary Audiences project. This experience reignited my love for poetry and opened a new chapter in my creative journey. It was here that I began working on a poetry collection about meteorology, climate change, and weather systems, a topic inspired by my Caribbean heritage and its deep connection to the natural world.

Representation in U.K. Children’s Literature

Despite my growing passion for children’s literature, it’s impossible to ignore the significant barriers faced by writers like me. Representation in U.K. children’s publishing remains alarmingly disproportionate. According to the Centre for Literacy in Primary Education (CLPE), only 11% of children’s books published in 2021 featured a character from a Global Majority background. Even more starkly, just 2% of U.K. children’s authors and illustrators come from these communities. I’ll pause to allow that statistic to cyclone for a moment…

These statistics are a sobering reminder of the urgent need for change. Stories shape how children see themselves and others, and the lack of diverse voices limits not only representation but also the richness of narratives available to young readers. As a writer with Caribbean heritage, I feel a deep responsibility to contribute stories that reflect the multiplicity of experiences within our global community.

Projects like the ones I’ve been part of— Spin and the Writing for Primary Audiences initiative —are crucial steps toward addressing this imbalance. They show that when marginalized voices are given space and support, they can create stories that resonate across cultures and generations.

What’s Next

My first children’s poetry collection is currently taking shape. Inspired by my Caribbean heritage and first hand experiences living there, the collection explores themes of weather, climate change, and meteorology through a lens that is both scientific and deeply personal. It weaves together the beauty and power of the natural world with the urgency of addressing climate change—a topic that feels especially relevant to today’s young readers.

Alongside the collection, I am developing a scratch theatre show, working title, Be a Hurricane. This interactive, educational performance is designed for 7-11-year-olds, blending live soundscapes with storytelling. It’s a space where children can not only learn about weather systems but also contribute their own voices to the performance, making it a truly collaborative experience.

As I move forward, I’m excited about the opportunities to connect with young audiences in meaningful ways. Writing for children has become more than a creative endeavor for me—it’s a mission to inspire, educate, and represent. By sharing stories that reflect the world’s diversity and its challenges, I hope to ignite curiosity, empathy, and action in the next generation.

Final Thoughts

This journey into children’s literature feels both new and familiar, a continuation of the work I’ve always done to empower young people through poetry. The path ahead is full of challenges—breaking into a predominantly white, middle-class publishing industry is no easy feat—but it’s also filled with possibility.

Representation in children’s literature is not just about numbers; it’s about ensuring every child sees themselves as part of the story. It’s about crafting worlds where all voices matter and where the complexities of our shared humanity are celebrated. I’m honored to play a part in that effort and excited to see where this journey takes me next. 

Ioney Smallhorne

Ioney is a writer, poet, performer & educator from Nottingham. Her craft is ignited by her Jamaican heritage, fueled by the tapestry of the Black British experience, & smolders with the essence of the natural world & womanhood. 

An alumni of Goldsmith College’s MA in Creative Writing & Education, Obisidan Black Poets 2023, & Peepal Tree Press Inscribe writer program. Shortlisted for the Caribbean Small-Axe prize 2016 &, for the Sky Arts/Royal Society of Literature Fiction Award 2021. Winner of the Writing East Midlands/Serendipity Black Ink Writing Competition 2021 & longlisted for the Moniak Mhor, Emerging Writer award 2024. She was the 2022 New Art Exchange resident artist & selected for the Middle Way Mentoring program, 2023-2025.

Find her work in Spin, children’s Poetry anthology (Otter-Barry Books), and Glimpse, the first Black British speculative fiction collection, (Peepal Tree Press).