Children’s picture books not only tell stories, but they also transmit values. They are vehicles to explore essential topics such as identity, empathy, equity, and inclusion, and they provide pathways to explore perspectives. In short, picture books can transport children to special places, both internal and external, where they can explore familiar terrains, experience new adventures, and discover unknown treasures. This presentation addresses how picture books serve as pathways for children. It reviews the evolution of children’s picture books and provides suggestions on how to use picture books portraying a diversity of perspectives in the classroom to support children and curriculum. When children are exposed to a diversity of perspectives, they begin to make connections and understand that they have the power to make a difference and change society. These powerful pathways lead children to build and foster empathy and inspire action. Presentation to MAESA, October 2018

1. Picture Books &
Pathways
Julie M. Esanu, MLIS
St. Stephen’s and St. Agnes School
MAESA Conference: October 26, 2018

2. Essential Questions
★ How has the landscape of children’s picture books
evolved over time?
★ Why does the diversity of perspectives matter?
★ How can picture books build and foster empathy?
★ Can picture books serve as pathways to inspire
action?

3. 1.
Children’s Picture Books
A Brief History

4. Picture Books: 1657-1900s
1657 18781744 1902

5. Picture Books: 1920s-1960s
1928 19381937 1963

6. Introducing “Diversity”
i.e., cultural stereotyping

7. Changing Landscape: Meet Peter
1962
“My book would have him there simply
because he should have been there all
along….I just loved looking at him. This
was the child who be the hero of my book.”
Ezra Jack Keats
Source: Ezra Jack Keats Foundation (http://www.ezra-jack-keats.org/ezras-life/)

8. Changing Landscape

9. Changing Landscape

10. (Slowly) Changing Landscape

11. 2.
Diversity of Perspectives
Why Does It Matter?

12. Mirrors &
Windows
Source: http://www.slj.com/2014/05/diversity/culturally-diverse-books-selected-by-sljs-review-editors/

13. and Sliding Glass Doors
Dr. Rudine Sims Bishop. Source: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_AAu58SNSyc

14. Source: http://www.reflectionpress.com/childrens-books-radicalact/

15. Source: Walter Dean Myers, “Where Are the People of Color in Children’s Books?” New York Times, March 2014.

16. 3.
Empathy
How can picture books build and foster this essential
mindset?

17. Empathy
“ ...the feeling of being able to
understand and share another
person’s experiences and
emotions.”
Thom Markham, “Why Empathy Holds the Key to Transforming 21st Century Learning,” KQED Mindshift, November 16, 2016

18. Develop
Identities
Make
Connections
Explore
Perspectives
Building & Fostering Empathy

19. “Children have
the right to an
identity.”
Source: United Nations Convention on the Rights of a Child (https://www.unicef.org/crc/files/Rights_overview.pdf)

20. Identities: Names

21. Identities: Families

22. Identities: Race/Social Constructs

23. Identities: Socio-economic Status

24. Identities: Culture & Traditions

25. Identities: Ability

26. Identities: Sexual Orientation

27. Identities: Gender Expression

28. Identities: Feelings & Emotions

29. Identities: Self-esteem

30. Identities: Self-expression

31. Identities: Hopes & Dreams

32. Identities: Individuality

33. Perspectives
Dictionary: “the interrelation in which a subject or its
parts are mentally viewed.”
IRL: The lens through which we see things as a result
of who we are, what we do, and experiences in our life
(i.e., our schema)
Source: “Persepctive.” Merriam Webster Dictionary :( https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/perspective

34. Perspectives: Ability

35. Perspectives: Journeys

36. Perspectives: School Stories

37. Perspectives: Race/Social Constructs

38. Perspectives: Culture & Traditions

39. Perspectives: Mindfulness

40. Making Connections
By developing understanding of their unique
identities and exploring a variety of
perspectives, children can create
connections to other people and the world.

41. Making Connections: Similarities & Differences

42. Making Connections: Communication

43. Making Connections: Building Community

44. Making Connections: Acts of Kindness

45. Making Connections: Giving Thanks/Gratitude

46. Making Connections: Compassion

47. 4.
Pathways
How can picture books serve as pathways to inspire
action?

48. “ Imagine if we could
instill a social
consciousness in every
nine-year old…”
Andrew Aydin
Source: National Book Award and Coretta Scott King Award Winner Andrew Aydin addressing the School Library Journal Leadership Summit, October 15, 2016; Mr.
Aydin is the co-author the March Trilogy and Digital Director for Congressman Lewis.

49. Meet Marley Dias
Source: http://www.today.com/parents/meet-girl-collecting-1000blackgirlbooks-libraries-schools-t95506 and
http://grassrootscommunityfoundation.org/1000-black-girl-books-resource-guide/

50. Inspiring Action

51. Inspiring Action

52. Detour or Obstacle?

53. Providing Pathways
When choosing mentor texts, read-alouds, and classroom
library materials consider:
● Who is the author and/or illustrator? (#representationmatters)
● What perspective does it provide? What perspectives are left out?
● What themes are explored?
● What is valued?
● Are there obvious biases (or undertones of bias)?
● Is anti-bias vocabulary used or anti-bias goals explored?
Source: St. Stephen’s and St. Agnes School Anti-Bias Template

54. Providing pathways
via access lenses
Source: https://fouroclockfaculty.com/2018/08/viewing-art-and-reading/

55. Providing Pathways
● Reading comprehension strategies
● Mindsets for learning
● Content curricula
● #classroombookaday
● One school, one book

56. Building Community: Dot Day

57. Connecting with Characters to Cultivate
Community (Kindergarten Project)
● Explore differing perspectives and develop empathy by connecting
with characters in stories.
● Make connections with characters through their names, physical
attributes, thoughts, feelings and emotions, actions, statements,
and likes and dislikes.
● Befriend characters and begin to develop and deepen
understanding, expand perspectives, and cultivate community.
● Apply understanding to create a physical representation of a
character.

60. Telling Our Stories: Identity Rocks
Source; Jeanna Reidy & Chanel Malik (January 2018), MLK: Telling Our Stories & Interconnectedness project.

61. Telling Our Stories: Identity Rocks
Source; Jeanna Reidy & Chanel Malik (2018), MLK: Telling Our Stories & Interconnectedness project.

62. #classroombookaday
★ Created by Jillian Heise (@heisereads)
★ Read 1 picture book aloud each day
★ Display publicly each book read
★ Build community and shared experiences,
cultivate discussion and wonders, foster empathy
and global awareness, and support curriculum

63. #classroombookaday
#sssasroombookaday

64. Source: http://www.printawallpaper.com/detail/nature/forest-pathway

65. Contact & Resources
Julie M. Esanu, MLIS
Lower School Librarian & JK-5 Literacy Coordinator
St. Stephen’s and St. Agnes School
Alexandria, VA
jesanu@sssas.org
@booksandbytes
Book recommendations & related resources can be found on the
Picture Books Pathways Padlet:
https://padlet.com/lslibrary/picturebookpathways