Diversity of Toys

Let me start by saying yes I’ve read the rules and this might be considered a race topic but I think it goes beyond that... plus I love everyone in CC and I’d love to hear what you all think... here goes:

We were out at a restaurant for supper and the restaurant is attached to one of my favourite book stores so naturally we go browsing after dinner. So I see this cute little book and a doll that goes with it. It’s called the snowy day and has a child playing in the snow on the front. The child has dark brown skin. So then I start thinking... when’s the last time I saw a non-Caucasian child in a book about snow?

Hm. Why is that? My daughter is half Trinidadian and a quarter Irish and a quarter Ukrainian. Ever since I was pregnant I’ve been determined to make sure her toys and books display children with various skin tones. Then I started thinking about my nieces toys (both Caucasian girls) and how most of their toys have light skin tones except for Dr. McStuffins... I don’t remember ever seeing a book depicting various skin tones... so with shelves like this at stores... it’s no wonder my nieces don’t have much diversity in their toys.

I’m sure if one isn’t actively aware of what kind of toys they’re bringing home then it’s easy to just grab what’s there. I also read this interesting article from a mom who had the same realization that I did (I know how much you all love good stats from a blog 😂)

http://www.musingmomma.com/2013/12/race-in-toy-aisle-what-do-black-kids-see.html

But here’s my question... is diversity in toys important? Is it important for all children to experience diversity with toys and books or only children of minority?