Mixed & Matched: the Representation of Interracial Families in Children's Books

As America's racial diversity includes an increasing number of multiracial families and children, it's imperative that diverse resources accurately showcase these families to help children discuss their racial identities. This study uses content analysis to explore how interracial families are portrayed in children's books and how these books address the subject of race. It discusses how the family representations match current population statistics and are affected by authors'/illustrators' racial identities. The research uses guidelines for identifying racism published by the Council on Interracial Books for Children and Rudine Sims Bishop's categories of cultural treatment to compare trends and locate deficiencies. This research identifies areas of improvement needed in regard to the number and types of multiracial children's books created, particularly for Hispanic (Latino) and Asian mixed race populations. It also helps parents, educators, librarians, and child care providers identify quality resources to guide children in multiracial self-identification.Master of Science in Library Scienc