Free To Be Me reading guide 2021

Published in 2021, this themed reading guide highlights books that celebrate diversity, representation and inclusion for children and young people aged 0–18. The Free to Be Me reading guide promotes equity and visibility of diverse stories in both school and public libraries, bookshops and shelves in the home. Every child has the right to be free to be themselves.

"We hope that this collection of truly excellent books helps to facilitate conversations and develop young people’s values, attitudes and knowledge, better equipping them to fully participate in and help to mould and build a more equitable society, ensuring that all children and their families feel welcomed, valued, celebrated and respected."

The aim of this collection of truly excellent books is to help facilitate conversations and develop young people's values, attitudes and knowledge – better equipping them to fully participate in, mould and build a more equitable society – ensuring that all children and their families feel welcomed, valued, celebrated and respected. By supporting our youngest citizens in this mission, we hope to enable tangible long term benefits for society that engender a more equitable future. Every child has the right to be free to be themselves.

Cover illustration by Ashwin Chacko

Reviews Editors:

  • Vita Coleman
  • Ruth Concannon
  • Emily Daly
  • Claire M. Dunne
  • Anne Gannon
  • Becky Long
  • Síne Quinn
  • Juliette Saumande

More Information & Links

To download a database of the books available in this guide, with added information about available accessible editions and other language editions please click here

Free To Be Me resource packs

Arts Council’s Equality, Human Rights and Diversity Policy and Strategy

Equal Status Acts 2000–2018