Representing Multiculturalism in Children's Literature: Picture Storybooks Around the World

Abstract

Multicultural analysis of children's literature provides a space to critically examine texts from the perspective of the “other” and to interpret the social worlds depicted within them. This type of analysis considers that meaning in a literary work - written, illustrated, or published - is produced through language, power relations, and broader societal issues. Given that picture storybooks have become an integral part of children's learning experiences, multicultural reading holds significant importance. This study investigates the question: “How is multiculturalism represented in picture books?” To this end, seven picture books published in the last decade, thematically centered on multiculturalism and featuring explicit references to different cultures, countries, and therefore the “world,” either in their titles or contents, were analyzed. The analysis was structured around four main themes: identity and belonging, similarities and differences, experience, and cultural authenticity. The findings revealed that while these books had the potential to convey cultural diversity through both text and illustration, the depth and authenticity of representation varied considerably. In some cases, cultural representations were limited to superficial visual diversity, with characters’ ethnic identities not deeply integrated into the narrative. In contrast, other texts placed identity, lived experience, and cultural context at the core of the story. Within this framework, the study highlights the educational potential of multicultural children’s literature in fostering intercultural awareness, developing empathy, and supporting cultural literacy.

Keywords

• Children’s literature
• Multiculturalism
• Picture books
• Discourse analysis

Çocuk Edebiyatında Çokkültürlülüğün Temsili: Dünyanın Etrafında Dönen Resimli Hikâye Kitapları

Abstract

Çocuk edebiyatının çokkültürlü analizi; metni her türlü “öteki” açısından sorgulamak ve eserlerde tasvir edilen sosyal dünyaları anlamlandırmak için bir alan yaratır. Bu tür bir analiz; yazılan, resimlenen ve yayınlanan bir edebi eserde anlamın yalnızca dilden değil aynı zamanda güç ilişkileri ve toplumsal konular tarafından üretildiğini de göz önünde bulundurmaktır. Resimli hikâye kitaplarının çocukların öğrenme deneyimlerinin bir parçası haline geldiği düşünüldüğünde çokkültürlü okuma oldukça önem arz eder. Bu çalışmada, “Resimli hikâye kitaplarında çokkültürlülüğün temsili nasıldır?” sorusundan yola çıkarak çokkültürlülük teması altında konumlandırılan, son on yılda yayımlanmış, başlığında ve içeriğinde farklı kültürlere, ülkelere dolayısıyla “dünya”ya vurgu yapan yedi resimli hikâye kitabı analiz edilmiştir. Analiz süreci, kimlik ve aidiyet, benzerlikler ve farklılıklar, deneyim ve kültürel özgünlük olmak üzere dört ana tema çerçevesinde yapılandırılmıştır. Araştırma bulguları, söz konusu kitapların kültürel çeşitliliği metin ve görseller aracılığıyla sunma potansiyeline sahip olduğunu, ancak bu temsillerin derinlik ve özgünlük açısından farklılık gösterdiğini ortaya koymuştur. Kültürel temsillerin bazı metinlerde yalnızca görsel çeşitlilikle sınırlı kaldığı, karakterlerin etnik kimliklerinin hikâyeye derinlemesine entegre edilmediği; buna karşın bazı kitaplarda ise kimlik, deneyim ve kültürel bağlamın anlatının merkezine yerleştirildiği görülmüştür. Bu bağlamda çalışmada, çokkültürlü çocuk edebiyatının kültürlerarası farkındalığı artırma, empatiyi geliştirme ve kültürel okuryazarlığı destekleme konusundaki eğitsel potansiyeli vurgulanmaktadır.

Keywords

• Çocuk edebiyatı
• Çokkültürlülük
• Resimli hikâye kitapları
• Söylem analizi

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