Analyzing Children’s Books Through a Critical Lens

Select three children’s books and examine the texts while completing the “keeping track of what we notice” form. Your book may be from any fiction subgenre and must be from either of the two websites listed on the directions (Social Justice Books or Cooperative Children’s Book Center). Do NOT use nonfiction, concept books, chapter, series books, or Disney stories for this assignment. Include your use of the selection website in your reference page. Answer the ten questions that follow for each book. Provide your thoughtful responses and integrate your understanding of literature concepts.

The analysis assignment should be in 12-point font, typed, double-spaced, and follow APA format. A cover page and a reference page are required.

Book 1:

1. What is the background information? Include title, author, illustrator, age range, publishing date, genre, etc.
2. What (or whose) view of the world or kinds of behavior are presented as normal?
3. What assumptions does the book make about age, gender, sociopolitical status and culture?
4. Who is silenced?
5. Who is heard?
6. Whose interests might best be served?
7. What ideological positions can you identify?
8. Does the book reflect cultural backgrounds and avoid stereotypical representations of food, clothing and practices?
9. What messages or issues of social change and justice does this book connect to? If it does not, how could you as the teacher make those connections?
10. Provide your opinion: Do you think this book is an example of diverse children’s literature? Should it be used in a classroom?

Book 2:

1. What is the background information? Include title, author, illustrator, age range, publishing date, genre, etc.
2. What (or whose) view of the world or kinds of behavior are presented as normal?
3. What assumptions does the book make about age, gender, sociopolitical status and culture?
4. Who is silenced?
5. Who is heard?
6. Whose interests might best be served?
7. What ideological positions can you identify?
8. Does the book reflect cultural backgrounds and avoid stereotypical representations of food, clothing and practices?
9. What messages or issues of social change and justice does this book connect to? If it does not, how could you as the teacher make those connections?
10. Provide your opinion: Do you think this book is an example of diverse children’s literature? Should it be used in a classroom?

Book 3:

1. What is the background information? Include title, author, illustrator, age range, publishing date, genre, etc.
2. What (or whose) view of the world or kinds of behavior are presented as normal?
3. What assumptions does the book make about age, gender, sociopolitical status and culture?
4. Who is silenced?
5. Who is heard?
6. Whose interests might best be served?
7. What ideological positions can you identify?
8. Does the book reflect cultural backgrounds and avoid stereotypical representations of food, clothing and practices?
9. What messages or issues of social change and justice does this book connect to? If it does not, how could you as the teacher make those connections?
10. Provide your opinion: Do you think this book is an example of diverse children’s literature? Should it be used in a classroom?