A Semiotic and Multimodal Analysis of Interactive Relations in Picture Books That Challenge Female Gender Stereotypes 1

Abstract

A semiotic and multimodal analysis of the interactive relations in a sample of picture books is presented in this chapter, drawing on social-semiotic approaches (Kress and van Leeuwen 2006, Reading Images: A Grammar of Visual Design. Second Edition. London: Routledge; Painter, Martin and Unsworth 2013, Reading Visual Narratives: Image Analysis of Children’s Picture Books. London: Equinox). The sample includes three picture books that tell stories of female characters who do not conform to traditional gender stereotypes. A qualitative methodology is used in the exploration of meanings of affiliation between readers/viewers and characters, and between characters themselves. Choices in the systems of focalisation, pathos, social distance and attitude (including power and involvement) reveal the importance of visual and verbal resources used by authors and illustrators in the construction of interactive meanings.