Critical Content Analysis of Visual Images in Books for Young People: Reading Images

299 Pages·2019·19.853 MB·English

by  Holly Johnson (editor), Janelle Mathis (editor), Kathy G. Short (editor)

CRITICAL CONTENT ANALYSIS OF
VISUAL IMAGES IN BOOKS FOR
YOUNG PEOPLE
Extending the discussion of critical content analysis to the visual realm of picture-
books and graphic novels, this book provides a clear research methodology for
understanding and analyzing visual imagery. Offering strategies for “reading” illus-
trations in global and multicultural literature, chapter authors explore and bring
togethercriticaltheoryandsocialsemioticswhiledemonstratinghowvisualanalysis
can be used to uncover and analyze power, ideologies, inequity, and resistance in
picturebooks and graphic novels. This volume covers a diverse range of texts and
types of books and offers tools and procedures for interpreting visual images to
enhance the understandings of researchers, teachers, and students as they engage
with the visual culture that fills our world. These methods are significant not only
to becoming a critical reader of literature but to also to becoming a critical reader
of visual images in everyday life.
Holly Johnson is a professor at the University of Cincinnati, USA.
Janelle Mathis is a professor at the University of North Texas, USA.
Kathy G. Short is a professor at the University of Arizona, USA.

CRITICAL CONTENT
ANALYSIS OF VISUAL
IMAGES IN BOOKS FOR
YOUNG PEOPLE
Reading Images
Edited by Holly Johnson, Janelle Mathis and
Kathy G. Short
Firstpublished2019
byRoutledge
52VanderbiltAvenue,NewYork,NY10017
andbyRoutledge
2ParkSquare,MiltonPark,Abingdon,OxonOX144RN
RoutledgeisanimprintoftheTaylor&FrancisGroup,aninformabusiness
©2019Taylor&Francis
TherightofHollyJohnson,JanelleMathisandKathyG.Short tobeidentified
astheauthorsoftheeditorialmaterial,andoftheauthorsfortheirindividual
chapters,hasbeenassertedinaccordancewithsections77and78ofthe
Copyright,DesignsandPatentsAct1988.
Allrightsreserved.Nopartofthisbookmaybereprintedorreproducedor
utilizedinanyformorbyanyelectronic,mechanical,orothermeans,now
knownorhereafterinvented,includingphotocopyingandrecording,orinany
informationstorageorretrievalsystem,withoutpermissioninwritingfromthe
publishers.
Trademarknotice:Productorcorporatenamesmaybetrademarksorregistered
trademarks,andareusedonlyforidentificationandexplanationwithoutintent
toinfringe.
LibraryofCongressCataloging-in-PublicationData
Acatalogrecordforthistitlehasbeenrequested
ISBN:978-1-138-38705-8(hbk)
ISBN:978-1-138-38706-5(pbk)
ISBN:978-0-429-42646-9(ebk)
TypesetinBembo
byTaylor&FrancisBooks
CONTENTS
PARTI
Research Methodology and Analytical Tools 1
1 Critical Content Analysis of Visual Images 3
Kathy G. Short with the Worlds of Words Community
Our Inquiry into Critical Content Analysis 3
Connections between Content Analysis and Critical Content
Analysis 4
Analysis of Visual Images 6
Critical Content Analysis of Visual Images as a Research
Methodology 9
Final Reflections 19
Overview of the Book 20
2 Image Analysis Using Systemic-Functional Semiotics 23
Clare Painter
Key Principles of Systemic-Functional Semiotics (SFS) 25
An Overview of Visual Meaning Systems 28
Final Reflections 35
vi Contents
PARTII
Visual Images in Counter-Narratives 39
3 Drawing Humanity: How Picturebook Illustrations Counter
Antiblackness 41
Desiree Cueto and Wanda M. Brooks
Theoretical Frameworks 42
Related Research 43
Methodology 44
Text Selection 44
Positionality 46
Data Analysis 46
Coding 47
Common Humanity—The Use of Social Distance, Proximity,
Attitude, and Orientation 48
Imagining the Unimaginable—The Use of Focalization, Pathos and
Affect, and Ambience 53
Implications 56
Final Reflections 56
4 Examining the Visual in Latinx Immigrant Journey
Picturebooks 59
Janine M. Schall, Julia López-Robertson and Jeanne G. Fain
Sociohistorical and Cultural Aspects of Immigration 59
Critical Race Theory and LatCrit as a Theoretical Framework and
Tool of Analysis 60
Literature Review 62
Methodology 63
Data Analysis 66
Themes across the Immigrant Journey Books 68
Discussion 72
Final Reflections 74
5 A Visual Analysis through the Eyes of an Apache 77
Angeline P. Hoffman
The Sociocultural Context of Oral Traditions 78
Related Research 79
Theoretical Frame of Decolonization 79
Research Methodology 80
Contents vii
Symbolism through Culture 85
Cultural Visual Style Increases Understandings of the Characters 90
Final Reflections 91
6 Developing Agency and Socialization through Interpretive Play 95
Janelle Mathis
Luche Libre 97
Theoretical Frame 97
Methodology 98
Findings from Visual Analysis 100
Final Reflections 106
PARTIII
Visual Images and Positioning 109
7 The Power of a Gaze: Inviting Entrée into the World of a
Picturebook while Positioning a Lived Reality 111
Holly Johnson
Purpose of the Research 111
Theoretical Frames 112
Connecting to Relevant Literature 114
Methodology 115
Themes of the Gaze or Lack Thereof 118
The Gaze Invites and Empowers 120
Discussion of Power in a Character’s Gaze 127
Final Reflections 130
8 De(MIST)ifying Depression: Dark Clouds and the
Construction of Disability 136
Desiree Cueto, Susan Corapi and Megan McCaffrey
Theoretical Frame of Critical Disability Studies 137
Related Research 138
Methodology 138
Text Selection 139
Data Analysis 141
Dark Clouds as Markers of Difference 141
Dark Clouds as Signs of Inaccessibility 145
Dark Clouds as Symbolic Journeys 147
Final Reflections 149
viii Contents
9 Grandma and the Great Gourd: A Comparison of Images in an
App and a Picturebook 152
Deanna Day
Theoretical Framework of Critical Multicultural Analysis 153
Literature Review 154
Text Selection 154
Research Methodology 156
Findings 157
Discussion 166
Final Reflections 167
PARTIV
Visual Images and Ideologies 171
10 Holy Molé! and the Reproduction of a Colonialist Perspective 173
Carmen M. Martínez-Roldán and Denise Dávila
Socio-historical and Cultural Aspects of the Context 174
Theoretical Framework 175
Methodology 177
Findings and Discussion 179
Final Reflections 187
11 Postwar Images: Japanese Ideologies of National Identity in
Picturebooks 190
Junko Sakoi and Yoo Kyung Sung
Japan’s Colonial History and Nationalism 190
Theoretical Frameworks 192
World War II in Children’s Books 193
Postcolonial Studies on National Ideologies 194
Methodology 195
Japanese Nationalism as Victimhood 197
Discussion and Implications 203
Final Reflections 204
12 Immigrant Memoirs as Reflections of Time and Place: Middle
Eastern Conflict in Graphic Novels 208
Seemi Aziz
Theoretical Frame 209
Methodology 209
Contents ix
Socio-Historical and Cultural Aspects of the Text Settings 212
Portrayals of Lives in the Middle East 214
Perceptions of Othering through Hybrid Identity Formation 220
Discussion 223
Final Reflections 224
13 The De-queering of Heather Has Two Mommies 227
Mary L. Fahrenbruck and Tabitha Parry Collins
Sociohistorical Context of Heather Has Two Mommies 228
Queer Theories Framework 230
Methodology 233
Findings 235
Final Reflections 241
14 A Picturebook as a Cultural Artifact: The Influence of
Embedded Ideologies 245
Hee Young Kim and Kathy G. Short
Critical Discourse Analysis as a Theoretical Framework 246
Critical Content Analysis as Methodology 248
Social Context and Social Structure 249
Social Discourses around the Conflicts in LA 252
Ideological Complex 261
Final Reflections 262
PARTV
Final Reflections 265
267
15 Extending a Critical Lens into Our Classrooms
Kathy G. Short with the Worlds of Words Community
Critical Theory as a Frame for Our Teaching 268
Sociohistorical and Cultural Explorations as Context 271
Analytical Tools as Critical Reading Strategies 272
Final Reflections 274
Contributors 277
Index 281