When a child sees themselves in a story, something magical happens. As a speech therapist and author, I share why I’m writing One Night in Benin City — and why diverse books change lives.
The Mirror and the Window
There’s a powerful concept in children’s literature: books can serve as mirrors (reflecting a child’s own experience back to them) or windows (offering a view into someone else’s world). Every child deserves both — but for too long, many children have had access only to windows.
Why Representation Matters for Language Development
As a speech and language therapist, I see the connection between representation and language development every day. When children encounter stories that reflect their own lives, families, and cultures, they engage more deeply. They ask more questions. They make more connections. They develop richer vocabulary.
Conversely, when children never see themselves in books, the implicit message is that their stories don’t matter — and this can affect their confidence as communicators.
One Night in Benin City
I am currently writing a children’s picture book called One Night in Benin City — a story that celebrates Nigerian culture, family, and the magic of storytelling. It is the book I wish had existed when I was growing up.
The book is designed to be used therapeutically as well as for pleasure — with rich vocabulary, repetitive language patterns, and opportunities for discussion that support language development.
What You Can Do
Whether or not you are a speech therapist, you can make a difference by:
- Actively seeking out diverse books for the children in your life
- Visiting libraries and bookshops that stock a wide range of diverse titles
- Supporting authors from underrepresented backgrounds
- Talking with children about the stories they read and the characters they meet
Shared reading is one of the most powerful things you can do to support a child’s language development — and the stories you choose matter.
Esosa Evbonaye is a paediatric speech and language therapist, founder of Sosalin Communication Services, and author of the forthcoming picture book One Night in Benin City.