Racial Stereotypes and Counter-Narratives in Children’s Literature: Critical Content Analysis Using AsianCrit

• In Event: Thursday Roundtable Session 4:20 pm
  In Roundtable Session: Race, Culture, and Gender in Early Childhood Spaces (Table 2)

Abstract

This study examined the depiction of Asian American children and families in children’s literature, using Asian Critical Race Theory (AsianCrit) to identify stereotypes and present alternative perspectives. Through a critical content analysis using the AsianCrit framework, four themes emerged from the literature: 1) stereotypical representations of Asian Americans, 2) counter-narratives against the perpetual foreigner myth, 3) counter-narratives against the model minority myth, and 4) literature as a space for honoring Asian Americans’ history, daily experiences, and voices. Our findings demonstrated a critical approach to effectively supporting young children to learn about diverse cultures through the literature.

Authors

• Shin Ae Han, University of Hawai‘i at Manoa

• Hyeungok Kang, California State University - San Bernardino

• Shinho Kim, Framingham State University