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Episode details

Radio 4,19 Apr 2019,28 mins

Golden Age of Children's Books?

Front Row

Available for over a year

Liz Pichon on her creation Tom Gates, the hugely popular series of books for young readers now on stage. Zanib Mian is the author of a new book about a Muslim family, Planet Omar - Accidental Trouble Magnet. Last year a report found that only 1% of children's books featured a main protagonist of colour. Alongside commentator and blogger Darren Chetty she considers whether that picture is changing - and whether any change will last. One in three books sold is aimed at children. Is this a golden age for children's books? Celebrity authors such as David Walliams are clocking up huge sales but what is the range and quality of all the books on offer? Children's book experts Dawn Finch and Imogen Russell Williams discuss. Presenter: Kirsty Lang Producer: Sarah Johnson

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