BAME children’s book pop-up shop opens in Brixton

Book Love, a travelling carnival, has opened a pop-up children’s bookshop selling BAME stories in Brixton ahead of Christmas.

Dubbed ‘The Travelling Multicultural Book Carnival’, Book Love has set up at Brixton Overground Station arches selling “multicultural books, bi-lingual books, black dolls, fashion and accessories from Ghana and flags”, according to Book Love founder Samantha Williams.

The former TV producer started Book Love after noticing the narrative around books in her children’s London schools was very much geared around the stereotypical white 2.4 family and did not in any way represent her children, or their friends.

Williams, who grew up in Barbados, said: “Recent statistics show that only 1% of main characters in children’s books are portrayed as black, Asian and ethnic minority even though 32% of children in UK primary schools come from these ethnic group. Book Love have made it their mission to change this and are committed to bridging this gap through literature.”

The Carnival featuring books, musicians and artists, travels across the country to schools, nurseries, libraries and galleries showcasing BAME content and the pop-up shop is open under the arches at  Brixton Overground Station platform 2 under the Passageway off Brixton Station Road for a limited time. Visit the Book Love website and @thisisbooklove_ on Instagram and Twitter for opening times.