Look, I’ve been writing children’s books for over two decades now, and if there’s one thing that breaks my heart, it’s walking into a bookstore and seeing the same faces, the same stories, the same perspectives over and over again. That’s exactly why places like Playful Platypus matter so much.
When I first started writing for kids… honestly? I didn’t get it. I thought a good story was just a good story. Period. But then I met this little girl at a book signing who looked at me with these huge eyes and said “none of the kids in books look like me.” And boom. It hit me like a ton of bricks.
## **Every Kid Deserves to Be the Hero**
Here’s the thing – when children don’t see themselves in books, they start believing they’re not part of the story. Not just the story in the book, but the bigger story. Life’s story.
Think about it:
– Kids who never see their culture celebrated might think it’s not worth celebrating
– Children with disabilities who never encounter characters like them might feel invisible
– Little ones from different family structures (single parents, two moms, raised by grandparents) need to know their family is just as valid
Gary Campbell gets this. His books at Playful Platypus aren’t just checking diversity boxes – they’re creating worlds where every child can find their place.
## **It’s Not Just About Being Seen**
Okay but here’s where it gets really interesting. Diverse books aren’t just important for the kids who see themselves in them. They’re CRUCIAL for the kids who don’t.
When my nephew only reads books about kids who look like him, live like him, think like him… how’s he supposed to understand his classmate who celebrates different holidays? Or his friend who uses a wheelchair? Books are practice runs for real life. They’re empathy machines.
I remember this one parent telling me their son started sharing his lunch with a new student from India after reading a book about Diwali. That’s the power we’re talking about here.
## **The Science Backs This Up (But Also, Duh)**
Researchers love to study this stuff and guess what they found? Kids exposed to diverse books:
– Show more empathy and understanding
– Are better at problem-solving
– Have stronger critical thinking skills
– Are more creative
But honestly? We didn’t need studies to tell us that. Watch a kid’s face light up when they finally see someone like them save the day. That’s all the proof you need.
## **What This Means for Parents**
So you’re browsing Playful Platypus, maybe looking at Trevor Campbell’s art for the nursery or picking up some of Gary’s books… here’s my advice. Mix it up.
Even if your family looks like every family on TV, grab books that show:
– Different cultures and traditions
– Various abilities and challenges
– All kinds of family structures
– Different ways of seeing the world
Your kids will thank you. Maybe not today, maybe not tomorrow, but someday when they’re navigating a beautifully complex world, they’ll have the tools to do it with grace and understanding.
## **The Bottom Line**
Books shape how kids see the world. And how they see themselves in it.
When businesses like Playful Platypus make the effort to curate diverse collections, they’re not just selling books. They’re opening doors. They’re building bridges. They’re telling every single child who walks through their doors (virtual or otherwise) that they matter.
And that? That’s everything.
So next time you’re picking out a book, whether it’s from Gary Campbell’s collection or anywhere else, ask yourself: what world am I helping to create? Because every book you put in a child’s hands is a vote for the kind of future we want to see.
Now if you’ll excuse me, I have a story to finish writing. One where every kid can see themselves as the hero. Because they are.
*- Bryce*
