Reading the Word and World: Portrayals of Activism in Children's Literature

Abstract

AbstractActivism is a term used frequently within and beyond educational settings, but the term is not always clearly defined. Using content analysis of over 150 picturebooks depicting activism, we strive to provide specificity to what activism is and make it tangible for readers and teachers. Through content analysis, we investigate key themes, characters, and actions in these books. From this analysis, we present a framework of head, heart, and world books. This framework illuminates the nuances of what activism can be from every day to transformative actions in making communities, local and global, a more equitable place. The article emphasizes the importance of using a variety of picturebooks on activism in classrooms to empower teachers and children to think critically about texts and be changemakers in the world.