Not just in black and white: Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples in Australian children’s picture books

Abstract

As they are usually chosen by adults, children’s picture books offer important insights into contemporary attitudes and values. They subsequently drive the social and academic development of young children, thereby playing a key role in their ethical socialisation and education. This article will explore the role of children’s literature in this process by analysing a range of Australian children’s picture books that deal with First Nations issues. The books were identified in a survey administered by the State Library of New South Wales’ (NSW) public library service which identified 62 books that explored diversity. Twenty-five of the books were assessed as having Indigenous characters. This article will explore the approach adopted in each of these picture books by using Rudine Sims’ three categories—Social Conscience, Melting Pot, and Culturally Conscious. By doing so, the article will assess the nature of childhood literature’s engagement with Indigenous cultures, contexts, and issues.