Celebrating stories that reflect every child: author Tola Okogwu visits Pakeman Primary

Acclaimed British-Nigerian author Tọlá Okogwu brought her inspiring storytelling to one of our partner schools in North London – Pakeman Primary School. 

Tọlá, author of both the Onyeka and Daddy Do My Hair series, champions representation in her work. She visited Pakeman and treated six children to a morning celebrating her stories that shine a light on identity, family and pride.

At a time when two in five children say they struggle to find books with characters like them, such celebrations are helping to change that – one school visit at a time.

An exciting reading – and a signed copy!

Tọlá read Kechi’s Hair Goes Every Which Way, part of her Daddy Do My Hair series. This joyful story explores a father’s efforts to style his daughter’s hair while celebrating Afro-textured hair.

The children actively participated, reading aloud and engaging with the story, before receiving their own signed copy to take home.

A donation to inspire

In a generous gesture, Tọlá donated 300 copies of her Daddy Do My Hair series to Pakeman, ensuring every child can see themselves reflected in books.

Beyond Pakeman, she donated over 1,700 books to six of our partner schools, spreading the celebration of diversity and representation across the country.

Every child’s story matters

This visit comes at a vital moment for representation in children’s literature. Just 8% of children’s book characters represent racially minoritised backgrounds – a stark contrast to the diversity of London classrooms. For many children, Tọlá’s books offer not just entertainment but affirmation.

Bookmark volunteers and reading programmes in schools help children discover stories that affirm their identity and encourage a lifelong love of reading.

We’re proud to work with authors like Tọlá, schools like Pakeman, and our volunteers nationwide to ensure that every child can see themselves in a book.

We’d like to thank Tọlá for her school visit and book donations. Check out her latest release, Onyeka and the Academy of the Sun, here.