Supporting diversity in School reading lists

Lexy loves to read.

Recently she was recommended a reading list from School and, whilst it has a lot of great books, there was very little diversity within it. It wasn't because the school do not want to include titles that are inclusive of people from a wider range of communities, it was simply a case of funding shortages to buy enough new books for multiple children to borrow at the same time.

She has enjoyed books such as The Goldfish by Lisa Thompson, My Shadow is Pink by Scott Stuart, Onyeka and the Academy of the Sun by Tola Okogwu, and other titles that cross all walks of life. Most recently she has been obsessed with the Anisha Accidental Detective series by Serena Patel, mainly because she can see herself, and relate to the main character. She would like other children at her school to be exposed to books that will give them a new perspective on people different to them, and that they can relate more to if they happen to be a bit different too.

With this is mind, she decided to organise a cake sale, and she has also managed to persuade her dad, Omnia Projects Project Manager Peter Botsoe, to shave off his braids that he has been growing for over two years to raise money to buy new, more diverse, books for her School.

She will be chopping off Peter's hair on Saturday 8th October. If you would like to sponsor them please text 'read' and the amount you wish to donate to 70470 i.e. 'read10' if you want to donate £10.

We will update this post with the before and after photos! An inspiring story and an excellent cause that Omnia Projects are keen to support and promote.

Update 10th October: The braids are gone!