A bookshop dedicated to black children’s books has newly opened in South London in hopes of fostering a “safe space” that promotes inspiration among young black people.
Founder of “Melanin Magic” Kelly-Jade Nicholls launched the initiative on July 24 in West Norwood following her observation that there is a huge demand for books with black authors and protagonists. Prior to this bookshop, she established “Woke Babies,” a monthly subscription service that offers boxes of books, activities, and learning resources catered to black audiences, driven by the struggle of parents to buy black children’s books.
“I still see that from time to time I walk into different bookshops to see if access to black children’s books is becoming more available,” Nicholls said. “And it feels like it’s not.” She believed that if black children did not see themselves represented in books, it was an indirect message that their stories and experiences do not matter.
She affirmed that all children, most especially black children, deserve to see themselves as “heroes and problem solvers” through books, coming to perceive themselves and their fellow children as catalysts for positive change.
“Melanin Magic” showcases a wide variety of black-owned brands and books that feature black protagonists. For Nicholls, it’s a fun place that allows “black children to be children.”
According to the Rara Education Project, black representation in children’s books poses benefits to children, including developing cultural awareness, establishing positive self-perception, and promoting community-building.
Since opening the store, she shared that she had received immense support from parents saying how “needed it was for the children. People from different cultures have joined in the celebration and understood that diverse books are not just for black people but for everybody.
With her ongoing efforts of contributing to cultural inclusion and visibility, Nicholls is in high hopes to inspire other book lovers to create a safe space within their area.
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