Research Catalog

Title

Access, authenticity, accuracy, and relevance : a content analysis of award-winning children's books about African Americans, 2001-2017 / by Sharonda R. Robinson.

Author

Robinson, Sharonda R.

Publication

• Milwaukee, WI : Cardinal Stritch University, 2018.
• ©2018

Items in the Library & Off-site

Details

Additional Authors

Strop, Janice J.

Description

xii, 496 pages : tables; 28 cm

Summary

To address the need for high-quality, culturally relevant diverse books and research critically analyzing nonfiction books, a three-phase content analysis examined the accessibility to and the cultural authenticity, accuracy, and relevance of award-winning children's books. These nonfiction picture book biographies about contemporary/21st century African Americans were published from 2000-2016, contained within the Database of Award-Winning Children's Literature, designated for elementary-age children, and in hardcover format. Grounded in multiple theories such as critical literacy, intersectionality, and cultural relevance and responsiveness, these theories addressed historical, political, social, and cultural aspects related to picture books. Key methodological features included two coder/analysts, coding matrices, open-ended response charts, intercoder collaborative discussion notes, reliability checks, and triangulation. The research revealed the following key findings: 1) few books received awards, and among the award-winners, few copies were found in urban libraries located in high poverty/African American population zip codes, 2) the presence of a significant amount of authentic African American cultural content appeared to be directly related to a book with a focal subject/main character identified as an African American and/or having an African American illustrator, 3) males dominated as illustrators and focal subjects/main characters, 4) as a group, the books provided an imbalance in the depiction of family structures, and 5) two award-winning books were found to be culturally authentic, accurate, and relevant. These findings are significant because they serve as evidence of the continued need for access to high-quality, relevant children's books about African Americans that present a balanced African American experience.

Alternative Title

• Cardinal Stritch University dissertation : Language and Literacy (Ph. D.)
• CSU PhD : Literacy.

Subject

• Children's literature, American > History and criticism
• African American children > Books and reading
• African American children in literature
• Children's literature, American
• African American children

Genre/Form

• Academic theses.
• Criticism, interpretation, etc.

Note

• Dissertation chairperson: Janice J. Strop.
• A dissertation presented in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the Doctor of Philosophy degree in Language and Literacy.
• "May 2018."

Bibliography (note)

• Includes bibliographical references (pages 391-423).

System Details (note)

• Also available electronically through ProQuest Dissertations & Theses database.

Call Number

Sc F 23-490

OCLC

1045070430

Author

Robinson, Sharonda R., author.

Title

Access, authenticity, accuracy, and relevance : a content analysis of award-winning children's books about African Americans, 2001-2017 / by Sharonda R. Robinson.

Production

Milwaukee, WI : Cardinal Stritch University, 2018.

Copyright Date

©2018

Type of Content

text

Type of Medium

unmediated

Type of Carrier

volume

Thesis

Dissertation (Ph. D.) Cardinal Stritch University, Milwaukee 2018

Bibliography

Includes bibliographical references (pages 391-423).

System Details

Also available electronically through ProQuest Dissertations & Theses database.

Local Subject

Black author.

Added Author

Strop, Janice J., dissertation advisor.

Added Title

Cardinal Stritch University dissertation : Language and Literacy (Ph. D.)

CSU PhD : Literacy.

Research Call Number

Sc F 23-490