Counterstorytelling Through Children's Literature: A Content Analysis of Recently Published Asian American Picture Books

• In Event: Sheraton Roundtable Session 25
  In Roundtable Session: Critical Examinations of Literature in the Education of Students of Color

Abstract

The widespread availability of multicultural children’s literature offers opportunities for elementary educators to include more diverse representations to their students. However, whether children’s literature is used to maintain the status quo or disrupt it is contingent upon the teacher’s approach. We used a qualitative content analysis grounded in Asian Critical Race Theory to examine the role of racial representation in twenty-one Asian American picture books published between 2006 and 2016. We found that cultural authenticity was (mis)represented in both written and visual texts, and in order for Asian American children’s literature to serve as a counterstory, it must be taught with a critical perspective that understands the historic racialization of Asian Americans and seeks to disrupt stereotypes and essentialization.

Authors

• Noreen Naseem Rodriguez, Iowa State University

• Esther June Kim, The University of Texas - Austin