Tulane SoPA education students examine diversity within children’s books
Children's literature holds transformative power. It shapes the way young readers perceive themselves and the world around them, fostering empathy, imagination, and a lifelong love of learning. Recognizing this, Kay P. Maye, a Social Sciences & Data Librarian, recently partnered with Professor Hazel Woods and her students to examine the diversity and representation within the library’s children’s book collection, the Amoss Collection, in her class Child & Adolescent Literature.
Located on the 2nd floor of Howard-Tilton Memorial Library, the Amoss Collection consists of picture books and chapter books and was established by children's book author and Newcomb College alumna Berthe Amoss. The collection is intended to support aspiring children's book writers.
This initiative provided an invaluable opportunity for students to delve into the rich landscape of children’s literature and assess how well it reflects the diverse identities and experiences of its readers. Their analysis focused on 1/8th of the collection, with further analysis planned by Kay P. Maye in collaboration with other courses. The findings from this collaboration not only shed light on existing gaps but also laid the groundwork for actionable changes to enhance representation.
