An Educational Approach to Critical Content Analysis of Visual Images in Picturebooks for Young Readers

Based on the critical perspectives of content analysis in children’s literature, the paper examines visual images portrayed in the two picturebooks Mirror (2010) and Where on Earth is My Bagel? (2001), both of which were published in the United States. Immersing with Freire’s (1970) critical theory of reading the word and the world, this study discusses the power of taking a critical stance of analyzing visuals with a particular focus on representational issues and the danger of a single story, making a challenge to the traditional concept of reading in classroom settings primarily based on the general understanding of story per se. Findings in this paper shed light on the significance of interpreting multiple layers of meanings and their underlying messages within images; understanding a wide range of voices and stories; and exploring much broader socio-historical and cultural contexts in which the stories are embedded. Discussions on the findings give educators insights into bringing a critical lens to their future teaching. Finally offered are major educational suggestions for language and culture educators so that they can provide young readers with a literary space to read the world from various perspectives.