This petition has been started by a group of Usborne Organisers in the UK, appealing for an urgent response from the Usborne family to address the under-representation of Black people across their businesses and publications.

"It's not just kids of colour who need diverse literature and media. It's all kids who need all stories about all kinds of people." Gary R Gray Jr.

Usborne are the UK's largest independent children's book publisher and with thousands of organisers across the UK representing their brand - their statement made on Thursday 4 June 2020, whilst welcome, did not set out concrete commitments for necessary change.

"Usborne stands in support of all people fighting for justice and equality round the world. Black lives matter. We also hear those who have pointed out that responses must go beyond a post on social media and that actions are as important than words. Yesterday, Faridah Àbíké-Íyímídé, who we are very proud to be publishing next year, wrote a powerful article in The Bookseller magazine that it is important to read. We know that we, and our industry, must all learn, reflect and change. We are listening, and we are committed to being part of the solution."

Actions ARE more important than words.

• It is not acceptable that <1% of Usborne's children's books available in the UK feature a Black protagonist

• It is not acceptable that Black people are represented as simply more coloured faces within books
• It is not acceptable that there are 3 Black people out of their 67 (4%) featured authors and illustrators in their Usborne Books at Home 2020 catalogue
• It is not acceptable that Black cultural heritage is limited to folklore and mythical storybooks
• It is not acceptable that Usborne Books at Home have NO Black representation in their "meet the team" at Head Office
• Announcing the publication of two books by Black authors in 2021 is nowhere near good enough.

If Usborne Publishing are truly listening then they must show commitment to being part of the solution.

We acknowledge the challenge that deep rooted organisational change will take time, but this must start now.

• We ask for greater transparency on their publishing plans for the future
• Commit to increasing Black representation both within their companies including leadership and in their books
• Develop anti-racist books to help educate and support parents for early years (0-5 years old, see data below)
• Produce books that will help children learn about racism and Black history
• Invest in Black writers and illustrators, funding future talent and rising stars within publishing
• Work with a race and diversity taskforce formed from their UK organisers and influencers, to support collaborative working and decision making.

We hope the Usborne family will commit to "doing it better" and lead wider industrial change.

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Supporting statistics.
• By the age of 5 years, children show many of the same racial attitudes held by adults in our culture. Source - Kinzler, 2016
• 23% of Children's books depicted characters from diverse backgrounds. The rest was 50% white and 27% animals/other. Source - Cooperative Children's Book Center, 2018.