On the Center: Mirror-Window-Sliding Glass Door Books in the Middle East Picture Book Award

Abstract

Children’s literature can serve as mirrors, windows, and sliding glass doors. They are mirrors for marginalized groups to see themselves represented, windows for dominant cultures to learn about marginalized groups, and sliding glass doors to develop empathy. In this study, I examined Middle East Picture Book Award to address what books are available about Middle Eastern Muslims who experience xenophobia and Islamophobia; and identify the books that serve as mirrors-windows-sliding glass doors.

Acknowledgments

This study is a part of my doctoral dissertation. I would like to thank my chair Dr. Laura May and my committee members Dr. Gholnescar (Gholdy) Muhammad). Dr. Rhina F. Williams, and Dr. Teri Holbrook.

Ethical Approval

The author declares that ethical and integrity issues are not relevant.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Correction Statement

This article has been corrected with minor changes. These changes do not impact the academic content of the article.

Additional information

Funding

This research did not receive any specific grant from funding agencies in the public, commercial, or not-for-profit sectors.

Notes on contributors

Mehmet Gultekin

Mehmet Gultekin works as an assistant professor of childhood education in Curriculum and Instruction Department at University of Arkansas, Fayetteville.