... to live on a changing Earth. Originality/value By positioning the speculative landscape of children’s literature as a novel pedagogical entry point, this study demonstrates a replicable and generative approach to preparing future educators to engage meaningfully with the growing climate emergency...

... Nigel and the Moon to facilitate conversations that will ignite class-, race- and space-based criticality. Originality/value This study is one of few that address class (as intersected with race) and its effects on young people’s futurities, as depicted in children’s literature. Consequently...

...Lina Trigos-Carrillo; Luzkarime Calle-Díaz; Rebecca Rogers; Nicole R. Misra; Jorge Herrera Bustamante Purpose This is a transnational research project meant to bring a global lens to literacy teacher education using children’s literature as a tool for building climate literacies. The research...

... weather as stripped of scientific, climatic and socio-political dimensions. These portrayals reflect broader cultural beliefs about childhood, resilience and what children can understand. We instead argue for leveraging the potential of multi-genre children’s literature that engages directly...

... Children’s literature Early literacy Inquiry methodologies Voice © 2026 Emerald Publishing Limited 2026 Emerald Publishing Limited Licensed re-use rights only 14 10 2025 03 02 2026 10 02 2026 Corresponding author Jon M. Wargo wargojon@umich.edu Social semiotics...

... Emerald Publishing Limited Licensed re-use rights only Countertexts Social justice Criticality Teaching literature Children’s literature Reflective practice Ty: I like people choosing my books because I don’t necessarily know a lot of books. Especially Mrs. M. because she worked...

... pedagogies that support young readers in engaging with policymakers around climate change topics. Originality/value Moreover, this study holds implications for how picture books may support children’s sense of self-efficacy and understanding of climate justice. Children’s literature awards...

... is a practical method for teachers to use when critically examining children’s literature. Findings Three major themes were found in the analysis: financial wealth, Black citizens unworthy of citizenship and the institutions’ role in violence. Through the use of MCDA, teachers can critically examine...

... rashid.a.murillo@okstate.edu 10 06 2025 06 09 2025 11 09 2025 © 2025 Emerald Publishing Limited 2025 Emerald Publishing Limited Licensed re-use rights only Reading transactions Metaphors Children’s literature Young adult literature Inclusive Representation Windows Mirrors...

...Rebecca Woodard; Faythe Beauchemin Purpose Children’s literature often depicts cities as crowded, manmade spaces devoid of nature. This paper aims to critically explore child-nature-city relations through pre-service teachers’ (PSTs) and children’s readings of the diverse environmental picturebook...

... brings their own experiences with religion into narrative interpretation. Originality/value The authors propose a lived religion framework, involving four modes of paying attention to religious cultural identity markers in realistic fictional children’s literature, as an alternative to a more belief...

...Whitney Neumeyer Roach; Andrea Danielle Jackson Purpose This paper aims to investigate the evolution of family representations in children’s literature, focusing on the rise of queer narratives and the critical role of chosen families in shaping children’s understanding of familial relationships...

.... The purpose of this paper is to explore the power and influence of children’s literature as windows, mirrors and doors for incarcerated mothers and their children. Incarceration affects not only the individual on the inside, but all connected individuals on the outside – especially children. Design...

...Delphia Smith Purpose This paper aims to evaluate children’s literature that focuses on body size issues for elementary readers. Design/methodology/approach The paper used an evaluative tool based on three categories: content, audience and other considerations. Findings The evaluative tool...

...Anne Valauri Purpose Early childhood and early elementary are key times when children develop internal and external antifat attitudes; thus, it is necessary to better understand the available children’s literature around fatness.This paper aims to examine children's picture books with fat...