Outside in World is the UK organisation dedicated to promoting and exploring children’s literature from around the world, particularly books in translation. Support from the Foundation, Unwin Charitable Trust and Arts Council England enabled the organisation to undertake its ‘Reading the Way’ project in 2014/2015, This project shows that books from around the world have a wealth of new perspectives on disability and new ways to access stories to offer UK Children. Outside in World aims to help change the future of inclusive and accessible books with the launch of the project’s new research findings this week.

Disability is an under-represented theme in children’s literature and many more inclusive and accessible books are needed. The aim of ‘Reading the Way’ was to discover exceptional international books that stood out in terms of being ‘accessible’ and/or ‘inclusive’ i.e. including disability or disabled characters within the story. Through a series of focus groups – comprised of disability experts and organisations, teachers, librarians, publishers, parents and young people – Outside in World were able to assess 60 books originating from 15 different countries to explore their appropriateness, appeal and visibility.

The project identified:

1. A valuable list of international books relevant to disability. A powerful picture of the way disability is approached around the world.

2. Exciting books and models of good practice.

3. Important learning points that could work well in books including the pitfalls to be avoided.

4. Common ground by opening up dialogue between international publishers, writers, translators and UK publishers.

Please contact Deborah Hallford (email: [email protected]) for a copy of the full report, ‘Reading the way: Inclusive books from around the world’.