CCBC Featured in Publishers Weekly

Last week saw the publication, in both the print and digital version of Publishers Weekly, of a fascinating article about the CCBC and their services entitled, "The Cooperative Children's Book Center Changes with the Times" (May 19, 2023 digital edition; May 23, 2023 print edition).

Along with many fascinating pieces of information, the CCBC shared the following comparison stats:

"Of the nearly 3,500 books received by the CCBC in 2022, 18% were by Asian authors and 11% were about Asian characters; 13% were by Black authors and 14% were about Black characters; 11% were by Latinx authors and 7% were about Latinx characters; 1.5% were by Indigenous authors and 1.7% were about Indigenous characters; and 0.4% were by Pacific Islander authors and 0.4% were about Pacific Islander characters.

In comparison, in 2012, the CCBC received 3,600 books. Of those, 2% were by Black authors and 3% featured Black characters; 2% were by Asian and Pacific Islanders authors and 2% featured Asian and Pacific Islander characters; 1.6% were by Latinx authors and 1.5% featured Latinx characters; and 0.2% were by Indigenous authors and 0.6% featured Indigenous characters."

It's exciting to see the continuing emphasis on authors of color and characters of color being published. We Need Diverse Books and the voices of other advocates throughout the country (and including the CCBC have helped create more authentic books that kids can see themselves in.

Congratulations to the CCBC!