Is it appropriate to explore political ideas or ideology in children’s books? Are books that validate society as it is any less “political” than those that ask children to question society? This paper explores these questions through the examination of four children’s books, all aimed at the pre- teen age group, which address racism, socialism, asylum and even anarchy.

There is growing concern among educators about the downturn of reading for pleasure among older children. Just 1 in 3 children and young people say they enjoy reading in their free time. There are several essential considerations for schools when selecting books...

'Beyond the Secret Garden' is an accessible and generous resource for educators, offering a comprehensive exploration and contextual knowledge of how racially minoritised people have been represented in children's literature. The book is made up of short digestible chapters which focus in on fascinating provocations such as: -whose world is celebrated during World Book Day? -who counts as 'English' in nonfiction? -what do school stories tell us about society?