Children need to see themselves reflected in the stories they read. This need is especially true for children of color. According to research conducted by the Cooperative Children’s Book Center (CCBC), only 39% of children’s books published in 2022 featured Black, Indigenous, People of Color (BIPOC) children as the main character. In 2018, BIPOC representation was only 23%.
In an effort to bridge the gap, When I See Me BIPOC Children’s Book Fair was created to pique children’s curiosity, boost their confidence, and enhance their ability to connect with the world around them by featuring books with characters that look like them.
The second annual book fair is Saturday, July 26, 2025 in Dayton, Ohio. The day includes
To see highlights of the 2024 book fair, click here.
