Why Care? 50: Murder Most Unladylike: Breaking Barriers in Children’s Literature with Robin Stevens
“I just had this storytelling impulse at an extremely young age. And I think I'm realising the truth of it now is that storytelling is how I make sense of the world, and it's how I think and process my emotions. I got a diagnosis of autism a couple years ago, and I think that that it literally, is how I process the world and how I make sense of things, It's how I understand people by pulling what I know into my head, putting it back out as a story, and using those stories to think through problems I'm having and things I don't understand. So the impulse has always been in me. In terms of children's books, I think writing children's books for the eight to 12 year old age group, that was really when I discovered stories that really, really moved me in a way that nothing quite had before.“
In this season finale of Why Care?, host Nadia Nagamootoo is joined by bestselling children’s author Robin Stevens, best known for the internationally renowned Murder Most Unladylike series, to explore how literature can shape young minds and create lasting change. Robin shares her journey as an author, the personal experiences that influence her writing, and how her neurodivergence, identity, and lived experiences have shaped the stories she tells. They discuss the importance of representation in children’s books, the impact of subtle acts of exclusion, and how stories can help young readers navigate diversity, identity, and belonging. This episode is an inspiring look at how books can spark meaningful conversations and challenge the status quo.
Key Takeaways
Children’s books have the power to shape young minds, foster empathy, and challenge stereotypes.
Diverse representation in literature helps young readers see themselves and others in a more inclusive way.
The power of storytelling can influence how children perceive identity, belonging, and fairness in the world around them.
Neurodivergence and lived experiences shape creative expression in profound ways.
Robin’s writing reflects her unique perspective as a neurodivergent person, using storytelling as a way to process emotions and understand human interactions.
By embracing her identity, Robin creates stories that not only entertain but also educate and inspire conversations around inclusion.
Highlights
Robin’s Path to Becoming a Writer – From storytelling as a child to becoming an internationally acclaimed author, Robin shares how her early experiences shaped her passion for writing.
Neurodivergence and Storytelling – Robin reflects on how her autism diagnosis has influenced her approach to writing, processing emotions, and understanding the world.
Diversity and Representation in Books – Robin discusses the importance of creating characters that reflect a wide range of backgrounds, identities, and lived experiences.
Challenging the British Boarding School Narrative – Robin’s books disrupt the overwhelmingly white, privileged image of boarding schools by introducing characters who mirror real-life diversity and challenge to fit in.
Raising Awareness of Subtle Acts of Exclusion – Robin highlights the importance of showcasing microaggressions in her stories to help young readers recognise and address them.
Bringing Queer Representation to Children’s Books – Robin shares her experience of writing LGBTQ+ characters, the challenges she faced, and the positive impact of queer representation in children’s literature.
Links
Robin Stevens’ Website & Books: https://robin-stevens.co.uk/all-books/
Avenir Consulting: https://linktr.ee/avenirconsultingservices
