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I spoke with a VP of Costco about my book series, Dork Diaries, and the importance of diverse children's books. He congratulated me on 55 million copies in print in 42 languages and 325 weeks on the NYT bestsellers list and then told me my books DON’T sell at Costco. (1 of 7)
So, what children’s books sell at Costco? Its website sells 138 children's titles. Shockingly, of those 138, NOT A SINGLE FICTION TITLE IS BY A BLACK AUTHOR! There is one biography and one book by a black author contained in a book set. See http://shorturl.at/elsyW (2 of 7)
After visiting several Costco stores, I consistently saw DOZENS of children's books, but only ONE picture book, ONE middle-grade, and ONE young adult title by a black author. So, Mr. VP, it’s now clear what kind of children’s books sell on your website and in your stores.(3 of 7)
Costco, it's 2020! To sell numerous books from the 1950s while systematically excluding most contemporary bestselling black children’s authors from your 546 U.S. stores is mind-boggling, even from a financial perspective. Your competition has already figured this out.(4 of 7)
Almost 51% of America's young children are people of color. Since today’s children are diverse, YOUR children's books and authors need to be diverse as well. Black children and black authors deserve better. Please be part of the solution, not part of the problem. (5 of 7)
Let’s help Costco find some wonderful books! Everyone, please take a photo of yourself or your child with your favorite children’s book by a black author and post it at #CostcoDoesThisBookSellAtYourStore (6 of 7)
Like other children, black children deserve to see themselves in the books that they read. Thank you @LeeandLow, @DiverseBooks, @ElleOnWords, @PocPub, @ChristineTB and many others who continue to champion the cause for black children and black authors. (7 of 7)
