Faculty Publications

Examining Power in Picturebook Biographies

Document Type

Article

Keywords

children's literature, content analyses, content literacy, critical literacy, literature, literature-based instruction, multicultural literature, nonfiction, theoretical perspectives

Journal/Book/Conference Title

Reading Teacher

Volume

78

Issue

6

First Page

432

Last Page

438

Abstract

This study was developed in response to the National Council of Teachers of English (NCTE) position statement elevating the use of nonfiction literature in the K-12 curriculum. Using an intersectional, critical multicultural lens, we examined award-winning picturebook biographies for their potential to invite examination of the concept of power following two guiding questions: “how do subjects acquire power?” and “how do subjects use their power?” The findings show that most subjects of biographies are depicted as having intrinsic power that comes from within and is used to pursue a personal dream. A smaller number of books depict subjects as having collective power, acquired within the contexts of their communities and subsequently using their power to uplift their communities. The teaching implications include suggestions for unpacking abstract ideas about power through picturebook biographies in tangible ways with elementary grade readers.

Department

Department of Curriculum and Instruction

Original Publication Date

4-9-2025

DOI of published version

10.1002/trtr.2387

Link to Full Text

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