A Critical Visual Analysis of Chinese and Chinese American Representations in Picturebooks
Xiaoning Chen
National Louis University, USA
Ran Hu
East Carolina University, USA
Abstract
One of the primary visual sources children are exposed to is the illustrations in picturebooks. This study examines visual representations of Chinese people and Chinese Americans in contemporary picturebooks. It seeks answers to how and why the Chinese and their culture are represented in these books through a critical visual literacy lens. Ten sample picturebooks were analyzed. The findings demonstrate progress in representing diverse Chinese and Chinese American characters in contemporary picturebooks; however, many visual representations still reinforce stereotypes of Chinese people and Chinese Americans, consistent with the dominant social discourse. Implications for developing culturally rich and dynamic Chinese characters in future picturebooks are discussed.
Keywords: critical visual literacy, picturebooks, Chinese/Chinese American representations