Poster #22 - What's in Inner Cities? Critical Multimodal Analysis on Inner-City Lives Portrayed in Picture Books

• In Event: 28.093 - MTCC Poster Session Five
  In Poster Session: 28.093-2 - Research in Reading and Literacy

Abstract

As the phrase “inner city” often implies derogatory stereotypes, such as ghetto, high crime rate, and poverty, yet, this paper critically examines how inner city lives are portrayed in children’s picture books. A critical multimodal analysis on the verbal and visual narratives in sixteen picture books reveals three themes: (1) representational codes that construct and reinforce negative stereotypes about lives in the inner city, (2) implicit messages that position inner city lives from a deficit perspective, and (3) hidden voice of resilience and community solidarity. Attendees will learn strategies to scrutinize these embedded codes, empower both teachers and inner city children’s re-construction of selves, and enrich literacy teaching and learning on diversity through these children’s picture books about inner cities.

Authors

• Hsiao-Chin Kuo, Northeastern Illinois University

• Yin Lam Lee-Johnson, Webster University