Unpacking Taiwanese Culture Portrayed in Children's Picture Books in the United States

• In Event: Language Development and Picture Books

Abstract

This study examines Taiwanese culture portrayed in children’s picturebooks written in English, published between 2003 and 2021, and available in the U.S. Employing critical content analysis with the AsianCrit perspective, a total of 16 sampled books were analyzed. The findings revealed (1) the majority of the sample books explicitly introduced the concrete level of Taiwanese culture, exemplified by foods, holidays, and places; (2) The insider authors and/or illustrators were found to be more attentive to details, portraying cultural artifacts or daily supplies in a more realistic way; and (3) Taiwanese immigrant protagonists demonstrated their acculturation process as well as struggles and challenges (e.g., legal status, missing family members in Taiwan, and hate crime) in the U.S.

Authors

• Yafen Lo, California State University - Los Angeles
  Presenting Author

• Su-Jeong Wee, California State University - Los Angeles
  Presenting Author

• Xuefang Zheng, California State University - Los Angeles
  Presenting Author

• Luis Zambrano, California State University - Los Angeles
  Presenting Author