The aim of this article is to examine the immigration experiences of Latinx child characters in picturebooks, analyzing the portrayals for their potential impact as mirrors and windows for students in today's schools. This study builds on research that explores Latinx representation in children's literature by specifically attending to how authors…

In this study, the authors explored a selection of middle-grade multimodal novels in order to push back against prior scholarship that tended to dismiss images in novels as mere decorations, visual reiterations of informational ready provided through written language (Godfrey, 2012). Inspired by the notion that the format of the middle-grade novel…

This study examines trends across recent Jane Addams Children's Book Award (JACBA) winners, with a focus on selection criteria and portrayals of social justice issues. The JACBA is administered by the Women's International League for Peace and Freedom's educational affiliate, the Jane Addams Peace Association. Established in 1953, the award serves…

Graphic nonfiction is optimal for helping readers challenge the common tropes associated with nonfiction, yet the application of fictional aspects to nonfiction subject matter is uncommon, even in the graphic novel form (Porat, 2015). However, the three books this article focuses on, "One Dead Spy, El Deafo," and "Drowned…

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…

Teachers report using trade books in the science classroom to humanize the subject matter, appeal to student interests, and aid with understanding (Fang, 2014). Trade books are deemed easier to read aloud and more appealing to younger readers, while some teachers also believe that trade books add an emotive element to the field of science (Donovan…

Carl Hiaasen's "Flush" (2005) addresses one of the key issues of our time: environmental degradation. His story offers children opportunities to think about how to act and behave in the face of environmental challenges and serves as an argument against prioritizing capitalism over the environment and humanity. "Flush" positions…

Although there have been numerous studies on stereotypical gender portrayals of male and female characters in children's books, the extant research has focused almost exclusively on human and animal characters (e.g., Clark, Guilmain, Saucier, & Tavarez, 2003; Grauerholz & Pescosolido, 1989; Hamilton et al., 2006; Weitzman et al., 1972;…

In this article, the authors focus on children's and adults' analyses and interpretations of the artwork and design of Peter Brown's "Mr. Tiger Goes Wild." Sipe (2008b) noted how the body of research on "children's visual meaning making from picturebooks" would benefit from "more studies combining careful and theoretically…

This article proposes the "badge of complexity"--a model that embodies the arguments for and against Holocaust stories for children--followed by a poetic and thematic mapping of Israeli Holocaust literature for young children.

This study examines the historical representation of the Black Freedom Movement within nonfiction trade books intended for children and adolescent readers.

This interview with 2015 Caldecott Medal winner Dan Santat explores matters of influence, familial and cultural background, the creative process, and the children's book marketplace.

When selecting and evaluating historical children's literature, there are many questions that must be considered. For example, who will be reading the book? Is the imagined young reader of these historical stories a White, middle class cisgender heterosexual, able-bodied student who was born in the United States, or are child readers from all…

Christopher Myers won acclaim at a young age as a vibrant illustrator of children's picturebooks. In this interview, Myers discusses how he has advocated for diversity in children's literature through themes that weave throughout his writing and illustration, collaborations with other artists, and his participation in the communities of artists,…

For the author's final Master Teacher article, she wishes to pay tribute to a scholar whose work in the field of children's literature has inspired her for years. Throughout her long and distinguished career, Rudine Sims Bishop, professor emerita from The Ohio State University, has shared extensive knowledge and numerous insights on issues related…