ERIC Number: EJ1270957
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2017
Pages: 14
Abstractor: ERIC
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: ISSN-1521-7779
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Available Date: N/A
Be Who You Are: Exploring Representations of Transgender Children in Picturebooks
Crawley, Stephen Adam
Journal of Children's Literature, v43 n2 p28-41 Fall 2017
The publication of children's and young adult literature inclusive of LGBTQ (lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer) characters has steadily increased in recent years (Möller, 2014; Naidoo, 2012; Sapp, 2010). Such texts provide windows and mirrors (Bishop, 1990) for children to see reflections of themselves, to have their or their loved ones' identities validated, or to learn about others who may be different from them. Research points to the need for and benefits of heightened inclusion of books with LGBTQ characters and content in schools to foster increasingly welcoming and supportive spaces for all young learners (e.g., Ryan, Patraw, & Bednar, 2013; Schall & Kauffmann, 2003; Souto-Manning & Hermann-Wilmarth, 2008). A crucial first step is to consider what literature is available, which identities are being portrayed or excluded, and what explicit and implicit messages are conveyed. Conducting a critical content analysis, the author highlights picturebooks featuring transgender child protagonists and problematizes representations of race, social class, gender identity, and gender performance.
Descriptors: LGBTQ People, Content Analysis, Picture Books, Adolescent Literature, Self Concept, Race, Social Class, Sexual Identity, Gender Differences, Peer Relationship, Teacher Student Relationship, Family Relationship, Diversity
Children's Literature Assembly. e-mail: info@childrensliteratureassembly.org; Web site: https://www.childrensliteratureassembly.org/journal.html
Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Evaluative
Education Level: N/A
Audience: N/A
Language: English
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Authoring Institution: N/A
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