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Picture Books

• Beyond Mulan: Rediscovering the Heroines of Chinese Folklore
  Notes how sadly the Disney treatment of the story of Mulan reduced both the character Mulan and the story's broad appeal. Presents and critiques four picture book versions of the Mulan legend.
• Breaking the Silence: The Stories of Gay and Lesbian People in Children's Literature
  Discusses how for gay or lesbian youth, the issues of identity and acceptance that are ignored both in life and in literature are not only profound but also dangerous. Notes that books that include gay or lesbian characters usually elicit a strong negative reaction to their content by vocal conservative groups.
• Canadian Multicultural Picture Books
  Educators have a particular interest in multicultural education and the use of literature as an avenue for the exploration and celebration of diversity within Canada. There is a need to understand the interdependence of all people in a global culture and an urgent need for peace and understanding.
• Cultural Diversity + Supportive Text = Perfect Books for Beginning Readers
  Offers brief annotations of 21 picture books that address cultural diversity while offering language that supports beginning readers. Includes a chart noting which language features that support beginning readers are part of each book.
• Examining Multicultural Picture Books for the Early Childhood Classroom: Possibilities and Pitfalls
  Picture books that depict the variety of ethnic, racial, and cultural groups within U.S. society (known generally as multicultural picture books) allow young children opportunities to develop their understanding of others, while affirming children of diverse backgrounds.
• Exploring Multicultural Themes through Picture Books
  Advocates inclusion of multicultural picture books in social studies instruction to offer different outlooks and visions in a short format. Describes selection of picture books with multicultural themes and those that represent various cultures, gender equity, and religious themes.
• Gender Stereotypes in Children's Picture Books
  Research has examined how gender stereotypes and sexism in picture books affect the development of gender identity in young children, how children's books in the last decade have portrayed gender, and how researchers evaluate picture books for misrepresentations of gender.
• Kids to Kids International: By Creating Picture Books Your Students Can Communicate with Children from Different Cultures
  This article describes the implementation of the Kids to Kids International (KTKI) program, a student-created picture book program that gives children an opportunity to learn about and understand each other. At the Rochambeau Middle School in Connecticut, KTKI has become part of the integrated language arts program, a Writers Club, an enrichment class, and Spanish classes.
• Multicultural Picture Books: Art for Understanding Others, Volume II. Professional Growth Series
  This book presents annotations of approximately 600 multicultural picture books published between 1993 and 1997. Annotations (and accompanying grade levels) in the book are arranged alphabetically within geographic sections.
• Multicultural Picture Books: Perspectives from Canada
  Conveys that multicultural children's literature can support and encourage tolerance and understanding among children. Presents information about multiculturalism in Canada and gives criteria to help teachers select multicultural literature.
• Picture Story Books that Teach Children about Appalachia: Problems, Perplexities, and Proposals (Part 3)
  Synthesizes research presented in two previous "Southern Social Studies Journal"articles that reviewed picture books about the topic of Appalachia. Discusses the problems that were encountered and offers nine proposals as solutions to these problems.
• Promoting a Global Community through Multicultural Children's Literature
  Children's literature reflecting authentic multiethnic cultures can help young minds recognize the diversity of their families and communities. Books that allow children to see themselves in a positive role give them an opportunity to affirm their identities.
• Reexamining the Issue of Authenticity in Picture Books
  Examines picture books portraying Asian societies as a means to discuss the criteria of authenticity (not simply nonstereotypes) in both the literature and artwork of picture books. Discusses authenticity and cultural acceptance in terms of both story selection and adaptation, authenticity and cultural conventions (in terms of value implications), and authenticity in artwork.
• Selecting Children's Picture Books with Strong Black Fathers and Father Figures
  Presents the image of black fathers as portrayed in children's picture books. Explores themes, trends, and significant works, showing black fathers and father figures.
• Teaching with Picture Books in the Middle School
  Arguing that picture books have much to offer students in the upper grades (including middle school and even high school students), this book discusses using picture books to stimulate students' thinking in a variety of topic areas.
• Tradition and Story: Intergenerational Ties of Past to Present
  This 32-item annotated bibliography details picture books, realistic fiction, poetry, and biographies (most of which were published in 1994) that deal with intergenerational relationships. Each entry in the bibliography indicates the literary genre and recommended age level of the book.
• Visiting South Africa through Children's Literature: Is it Worth the Trip? South African Educators Provide the Answer
  Shares South African educators' perspectives on 17 selected picture books about South Africa. Finds that they highly recommend these books.
• Who Belongs Here? Portraying American Identity in Children's Picture Books
  Provides examples of children's literature that can be used to begin dialogs on issues of similarities, differences, prejudice, exclusion and inclusion, violence, and social justice. Picture books chosen for broad appeal and multiple uses, even with older students, are described.