Anthropomorphic Characters in Children’s Literature

Abstract

Given the current climate of immigration discourse and proposed changes to US immigration policies, it is critical to examine how immigration is presented to society’s youngest readers. Because racial tension is embedded in immigration policies, children’s picture books with anthropomorphic characters offer the possibility of learning about immigration as a phenomenon removed from master narratives. We focus on five picture books with anthropomorphic characters and explore the portrayal of immigrants and their stories. Using critical multicultural analysis, we unpack stereotypes, storylines, relationships between characters, messages about different lifestyles, creators’ backgrounds and perspectives, and loaded words. Cultural character traits were used purposefully to unpack messages about acceptance or the lack thereof. The storylines emphasize the characters’ traits, agency, and strategies of inclusion. Parallels can be drawn between the current immigration discourse and the books’ storylines, making the books appropriate resources to address immigration topics in the elementary education classroom.