Whose Stories?

Whose Stories

The podcast launched on Windrush Day (22nd June) and highlights the invaluable contributions writers of Caribbean descent have made to the landscape of British children’s literature.

This limited series of three fortnightly podcasts is commissioned and supported by the Vital North Partnership, a strategic partnership between Seven Stories and Newcastle University. Whose Stories? will see authors, illustrators, academics, changemakers, and archivists come together to talk about why building a truly representative national archive of children’s books is so critical, and to put a spotlight on issues of diversity and representation in children’s literature and its history within these contexts.

This podcast forms part of Seven Stories’ wider Windrush Programme, which seeks to inspire children of Caribbean heritage to see themselves both represented within British literature, and as writers of the future.

Whose Stories? has grown out of the research collaboration between Professor Karen Sands O’Connor (Newcastle University), British Academy Global Professor of Children's Literature, and Seven Stories: “The podcasts represent several years of partnership between Seven Stories, Newcastle University, and me to broaden both the archival collections at Seven Stories and the wider public understanding of the role of Black British children's literature in the national culture. The range of voices present in this podcast - from academics to authors to teachers, librarians and children - demonstrates a commitment to bringing the best books and the joy of reading to all children.”

You can listen to the podcast here.