Rainbow Reflections: Transgender Characters in Bilingual Children's Picture Books

• In Event: 42.083 - Roundtable Session 17
  In Roundtable Session: 42.083-8 - Examining Race and Transgender Identity Politics in Early Childhood Literacy, School Discipline, and Pedagogy

Abstract

In querying the instantiations of transgender ontologies in children’s bilingual (Spanish-English) picture books, we examined trans characters in such books for children ages 3 – 8. In analyzing such texts, we have noted a marked paucity of trans characters in texts in English, Spanish and most notably in bilingual children's picture books. In addition, an overwhelming percentage of characters are white, and, for trans characters, most are female identified.

Thus, our project seeks to investigate the transgender character lacuna in children's bilingual picture books, ultimately seeking to promote understanding of and sensitivity toward differenced gender ontologies, particularly with regard to trans characters, in the hopes that illumination of such realities will foment societal acceptance and approval of such gender identities/expressions.

Authors

• Ashley Lauren Sullivan, The Pennsylvania State University - Erie, The Behrend College

• Laurie Urraro, The Pennsylvania State University - Erie, The Behrend College