Stormzy’s #Merky Books challenges representation in children’s books with ‘Superheroes’

Stormzy’s publishing venture #Merky Books is set to release a comic-style book celebrating over 50 iconic British people from underrepresented communities, as a means to challenge representation in children’s books.

Superheroes: Inspiring Stories of Secret Strength is set for release on Sept. 16, with eight percent of proceeds going to the British rapper’s #Merky Foundation, a charity which aims to tackle racial inequality and injustice.

The title shares its name with Stormzy’s single “Superheroes” released last year, which he paired with a music video celebrating real life heroes like Manchester United footballer Marcus Rashford and his work campaigning against child food poverty and for young literacy, and paying tribute to Black Panther actor Chadwick Boseman.

‘Superheroes’ featured in the book include Why I’m No Longer Talking to White People About Race author Reni Eddo-Lodge, actor Riz Ahmed, Rocks co-writer Theresa Ikoko, scientist Dr Anne-Marie Imafidon MBE, Queenie author Candice Carty-Williams, racial justice campaigner Temi Mwale, athlete Dina Asher-Smith, writer-director Reggie Yates, former footballer Ian Wright, model Ikram Abdi Omar, footballer Rinsola Babajide, basketball player Temi Fagbenle, comedian Mo Gilligan, and many more. The book will also include an introduction from Stormzy himself.

Superheroes: former footballer Ian Wright and scientist Dr Anne-Marie Imafidon.
Credit: #merky books 

According to a study by UK children’s reading charity BookTrust, the number of kids’ books published in the country over the last three years (2017 to 2019) featuring characters from a Black, Asian, or minority ethnic background has increased to a measly 10 percent in 2019 — rising from 7 percent in 2018. So yeah, it’s not good enough.

“Unfortunately there is still a distinct lack of representation in children’s books and we know that it is vital that children see themselves in the books they read growing up,” said #Merky Books assistant editor Tallulah Lyons in a statement.

One of the superheroes featured in the book is Rachael Corson, who co-founded hair product company Afrocenchix with Joycelyn Mate. “I want kids to look at what Joycelyn and I have achieved, two young Black girls that grew up poor in London, and know they can do anything they set their minds to and go after,” she said in a statement. “I want others to fulfil their potential and live their best lives knowing that the ‘heroes’ in this book have worked hard to pave the way for their greatness.”

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The book is illustrated by 21-year-old artist Denzell Dankwah who connected with #Merky Books on Instagram about his comic book works. And each person’s story has been written by poet, songwriter, and author Sophia Thakur.

“The earliest seeds that are planted often influence the rest of the garden,” said Thakur in a statement. “If from a young age, we only really meet blackness from a position of weakness, of slavery and shootings…stereotypes and racist media…as children, we don’t get an opportunity to develop a healthy and confident outlook on what it means to be black. It was important to work on this book to plant a new seed of celebration. Of black excellence into our young minds who will hopefully bloom into their very own superheroes. Confident and powerful.”

Superheroes: Inspiring Stories of Secret Strength is out Sept. 16 through #Merky Books and Penguin Random House.