Stories of a Storm: A Content Analysis of Mainstream, Small-Press, and Self-Published Picture Books about Hurricane Katrina

Abstract

The researchers examined mainstream, small-press, and self-published picture books about Hurricane Katrina, analyzing rhetorical purpose, representations of race, and responses to the storm, including decisions regarding evacuation, accepting institutional assistance, and relocating or returning. A comparison revealed that, taken together, the small-press and self-published titles more accurately depict the wide array of survivor experiences than do the mainstream titles, which tend to reinforce a few major patterns and storylines, perhaps for the benefit of an audience outside of the affected areas. Implications for library collection development are discussed.