Exploring Religious Neutrality and Pluralism via Nonfiction Children’s Books: A Teacher Preparation Case Study

• In Event: Preservice Educators' Engagement with Picturebooks: Critical Literacy, Religious Stances, and Colorism

Abstract

This paper examines how university education majors perceive religious neutrality and pluralism when analyzing informational nonfiction children’s books about major world religions. It explores how future teachers engage with texts representing diverse religious perspectives and navigate the balance between presenting these perspectives neutrally and fostering inclusivity. The study underscores the importance of religious literacy in teacher preparation, particularly in promoting pluralism and neutrality in elementary literacy instruction.

Authors

• Denise Davila, The University of Texas

• Laura Iris Sanchez, University of Texas at Austin