A NEW pop-up book shop catering to BAME children has opened in Brixton, The Bookseller reports.

Book Love opened ahead of Christmas, and has been dubbed as ‘The Travelling Multicultural Book Carnival’.

Set up at Brixton Overground Station arches, Book Love sells “multicultural books, bilingual books, black dolls, fashion and accessories from Ghana and flags”.

Founded by Samantha Williams, the former TV producer started Book Love after noticing the narrative around books in her children’s London schools was very much geared around the stereotypical white family and did not in any way represent her children, or their friends.

Speaking to The Bookseller, Williams said: “Recent statistics show that only 1% of main characters in children’s books are portrayed as black, Asian and ethnic minority even though 32% of children in UK primary schools come from these ethnic group. Book Love have made it their mission to change this and are committed to bridging this gap through literature.”

The Carnival featuring books, musicians and artists, travels across the country to schools, nurseries, libraries and galleries showcasing BAME content and the pop-up shop is open under the arches at Brixton Overground Station platform 2 under the Passageway off Brixton Station Road for a limited time.

To find out more visit the Book Love website and @thisisbooklove_ on Instagram and Twitter.