ORCID

https://orcid.org/0009-0008-4270-6198

Date of Award

2024

Document Type

Dissertation

Degree Name

Philosophy (Ph.D)

Department

Education Specialties

First Advisor

Michael S Sampson

Second Advisor

Bonnie J Johnson

Abstract

This dissertation explores children's authors' experiences of and motivations for including religious and spiritual themes in their picture books. It investigates the intricate connection between authors' backgrounds, including their cultural, spiritual, or religious, and familial roots, and how these elements permeate their writing. The study examines these authors' lived experiences and personal narratives, uncovering how their unique identities shape the portrayal of complex spiritual or religious themes in children's literature. Across the interviews, several themes were identified, including family teachings, religious upbringing, and personal spirituality. Authors draw from a wealth of personal experiences, such as Matt de la Peña's Christian themes in Last Stop on Market Street, Amy Hest's Jewish storytelling inspired by her childhood, Gita Varadarajan's Hindu influences in My Bindi, Simran Jeet Singh's Sikh heritage, and Reem Faruqi's Muslim cultural expressions. Gene Weingarten's atheistic perspective offers a secular viewpoint, adding to the diversity of beliefs in picture books. The results reveal why authors are motivated to employ spirituality and religion to create inclusivity in their work and represent the broader scope of human experience in children's literature. Interviews underline the role that narratives play in fostering empathy and understanding among young readers, providing mirrors to see themselves and windows to view others. The books’ detailed illustrations are highlighted as crucial in enhancing cultural and religious representation. Aligned with the Department of Education's guidelines on religious tolerance in schools, the research addresses authorial intent and significance. Furthemore, it builds on John Dewey's theory of experience and Bakhtin's theory of novelness, showing how the everyday lives and "voices that have not been heard" can resonate powerfully through the medium of children's picture books. Study limitations are acknowledged, and future research and advocacy recommendations are made. In conclusion, this dissertation champions the need for diverse, authentic representation in children's literature, encouraging publishers and educators to support books that nurture empathy and develop a comprehensive understanding of religious and spiritual perspectives. It emphasizes the significance of illustrations in enriching these narratives and appeals for an inclusive approach to children's literature in public education that is reflective of our multicultural and multifaceted society.

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