CELEBRATING CHILDREN BOOKS
Melanin Child Stories
Melanin Child Stories is an online independent, Black-owned bookshop based in Essex that specialises in the sale of Black children's books, which aims to make all children feel represented when it comes to literature. Our journey started through a pop-up shop hosted by SASBS Events, who were willing to support Small Business. Thanks to the amazing feedback and encouragement from costumers, Melanin Child Stories kept on growing.
Home / Our Purpose
Melanin Child Stories exists because diversity and reading matters, and books can shape.
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It's factual that reading for pleasure, and improving reading standards, has a major impact on children's wellbeing, academic achievements, and future success.
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But the sad truth is, that due to that lack of funding many children don't have acess to well-stocked libaries. Many don't get to experience the magic of reading that may well have made you a reader for life.
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As a result, Melanin Child Stories has created a platform to redress that shortfall.
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Reading Matters
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Over the last two decades, there has been a deepening recognition of the fundamental importance of improving reading standards on a child's future academic achievement, wellbeing and success in life.
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Reading and writing is the key to unlocking the rest of the curriculum.
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Fluency of reading is also a key indicator for success in further education, higher education and employment.
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Even more significantly, being a highly engaged reader has the potential to allow children to overcome their background.
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Inspiring a love of books is one of the best way to prepare children for a lifetime of learning encouraging enjoyment of books and creating curious and engaged readers for life.
Representation In Children's Books Matters
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Representation in children's literature is critical in shaping young readers' understanding and empathy towards diverse cultures and identities.
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Children need to see themselves and their experiences reflected in the books they read to foster positive self-identity and promote cultural understanding.
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When children identify with characters in books who share their struggles or experiences, they can develop emotional intelligence and self-awareness.
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Encourages positive self-identity and self-esteem.
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Provides an opportunity for learning and education.
Mental Health Benefits
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Research from National Literacy Trust has shown us that children and young people who like to read are three time more likely to have better mental health than those who don't.
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Reading for just 10 minutes a day can have astonishing benefits.
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Losing yourself in a good book has been shown to reduce your levels of stress.
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Research by Dr David Lewis showed that reading as little as six minutes a day can reduce stress levels by 60% by reducing your heart rate, easing of mind.
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That same study showed that reading was better at reducing stress than music, drinking a cup of tea, going for a walk and playing video games.
