Images of Home and Family Reflected in Children's Literature

Abstract

Images of Home and Family Reflected in Children's Literature Janelle Mathis (bio) and Petros Panaou (bio) As a year of the many tragic issues brought on by the pandemic lies behind us, we are left wondering why and when we will see an end. However, we also acknowledge that in slowing down a bit, we have been given opportunity to think about aspects of our lives and the lives of others that may be taken for granted—not purposefully but because of the busy lives we normally lead. As we look across the topics in this unthemed issue of Bookbird, we immediately recognize images of home, family, and needs therein. In many ways for different readers, this can relate to the importance of home, those we identify as family, and what physical needs exist within a home—needs that for many are not filled in "normal" times. To borrow phrases from our authors here, in this issue we see "systemic issues based on equity," "breaking the molds of... happy endings," "progressive views of family formation," and "children's participation in family and social life." "Representations of Food Insecurity in Contemporary Picturebooks" by Maria V. Acevedo-Aquino employs critical multicultural analysis as a theoretical framework and methodology to examine representations of food insecurity in four contemporary realistic fiction picturebooks. The author raises questions around the invisibility of food insecurity in rural contexts, the overrepresentation of white children and families experiencing such in children's literature, the highlighting of privileged voices over those of children affected, and the need to address the systemic issue. "With 'Open Arms and Generous Heart': Representations of Refugees in Current Radical Israeli Literature for Children and Young Adults by Tamar Verete-Zehavi" written by Smadar Falk-Peretz focuses on children's literature as a mirror to reflect changing social realities. In discussing Israeli literature for children and young adults today that can also be read for representations of ongoing migration, including borders crossed into the State of Israel, this article ultimately shares that home is "a feeling stemming from being with those we are close to and love...a humane setting where we can find comfort, refuge, and consolation in times of trouble." The focus on family is continued in "Blood Doesn't Define Evotypical Families: Eleanor Spence's Stories of Informal and Formal Foster Care in Australia" by Dee Michell. Rather than consider these stories as naïve and idealistic, the author examines them in light of recent recognition and acceptance of a variety of family formations in hopes that readers will [End Page 1] consider the possibilities of family formation beyond the nuclear model as well as the familial bonds that can develop. The focus of children and their place within families is continued in "Bodies and Voices in Chilean Children's Literature: Fifty Years of Silencing Childhood (1920-1970)" by Isabel Ibaceta. A historical examination of Chilean children's literature points to five decades that have mostly silenced the figure of childhood in the literature aimed precisely at children. In light of studies that point to the history of children's participation in family and social life that only began to be culturally considered in Chile in the '60s, this article is a strong reminder that literature reflects societal trends and issues. Considered in context, it can teach much about other cultures. In light of the themes shared among these articles, it might seem that "The Winner Takes It All? The Impact of Awards on the Internationalization of the Portuguese Children's Publisher Planeta Tangerina" by Inês Costa is a bit of an anomaly—or is it? Using the Portuguese publishing house Planeta Tangerina as a case study, this article examines whether there is evidence of a cause-effect relation between winning national and international artistic and literary prizes and the sales of the translation rights to other countries. The outcome of this study is a strong reminder of the need for those of us who are aware of and advocate for global children's literature to share our insights and awareness about books from other countries—award winners as well as others that also are excellent resources; find our place through...