Literacy & representation campaign
Every child deserves to see stories like theirs.
Stories #LikeMine is a practical, evidence-informed approach to representation and reading engagement — designed to listen, learn and grow with every cycle.
Where it began
"She has hair like mine."
During a reading of Alanah's Amazing Afro, one child looked at the character and said those words — and became so much more engaged. It wasn't an isolated moment. It became the question behind #LikeMine: what if more children could find stories that feel like theirs?
Why it matters
36.1%
of 8–18-year-olds enjoy reading in their free time
National Literacy Trust
20.3%
read daily in their free time
National Literacy Trust
24%
of UK children's books in 2024 featured a racially minoritised main character
CLPE Reflecting Realities
How #LikeMine works
01
Source
Identify quality, age-appropriate books with meaningful representation.
02
Connect
Partner with schools, educators, authors, publishers, donors and communities.
03
Give
Put carefully selected books directly into children's reading environments.
04
Read
Every donation comes with a visit and live reading from a spotlighted author.
05
Listen
Gather children's engagement and educator feedback.
06
Measure
Track reach, participation and qualitative responses.
07
Learn & grow
Use each cycle's learning to strengthen the next.
Our mission
To help children find stories like theirs and build positive, lasting relationships with reading for pleasure.
Our vision
A world where every child can open a book and think: "That's like me."
Pilot · Winter 2026
#HairLikeMine
Our first cycle celebrates natural hair textures, coily hair, protective styling and alopecia. We're placing a curated basket of 20 titles into each of 3 focus primary schools in Hackney — 60 books in total, with 19 still left to source.
41 of 60 books sourced
19 left to source
19
books left to source
15 Nov
sourcing closes
1 Jan 2027
pilot launches
We accept new or gently used picture books for ages 6–7. All pilot costs are covered by the campaign — donors pay nothing.
Inside the pilot
What actually happens in a pilot school
Every pilot school receives books, three visits and a live author reading — with children's voices recorded at the start and again at the end.
1. Sourcing & securing
Donors, endorsements and recipient schools are confirmed first. A curated basket of 20 titles is built for each school — 60 books across the three pilot schools.
2. Donation Day (Visit 1)
The books arrive. Before the assembly, short 15–30 minute classroom sessions capture a baseline: how often children read, whether they see characters who look like them, and how they feel about reading.
3. Assembly & live reading
A spotlighted author reads with the children and opens the conversation about hair, identity and belonging. Teachers and parents complete short questionnaires the same day.
4. Four weeks with the books
The basket stays in the reading environment for a four-week trial, so children can choose from it freely during the school day.
5. Visit 2 & listening
We return to see children choosing books independently, run a carpet chat, and gather teacher and parent feedback on engagement, recognition and enjoyment.
6. Measuring & sharing
Quotes, choice tallies and engagement data are pulled together into an impact report, shared with partner schools and donors, and used to shape the next cycle.
For publishers & donors
What partners receive
- ✦Credited at the founder's World Literacy Summit presentation
- ✦Titles placed directly with children for a 4-week trial
- ✦Featured in live author assemblies and campaign social media
- ✦A copy of the pilot's impact data report
- ✦Official launch partner branding on baskets, press and digital assets
"This campaign bridges global education policy with ground-level classroom action, ensuring our laws, our literature, and our learning environments actively honour the rights and identities of every single child."
Join the movement
Schools, authors, publishers and advocates — help us rewrite the narrative around children's literacy.
Or email info@storieslikemine.com