• Korean Journal of Childcare and Education
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• v.11 no.4
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• pp.81-107
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• 2015

Ninety-eight bestselling children's picture books from 2008 to 2014 were analyzed for multicultural education. The criteria used for the analysis included Culture, Diversity, Identity, Equity, Anti-bias, and Cooperation that were drawn from Kim & Park (2011). An examination of the books revealed that they contained concepts of Cooperation, Identity, Culture, and Diversity in their orders of frequency while ideas of Equity and Anti-bias were barely depicted. Differences between domestic and translated books were found. Translated picture books reflected Diversity more frequently than domestic ones. Under a criterion of Culture, Recognizing Differences and Similarities was more frequently portrayed in translated books while Respecting for Cultures was more frequently found in domestic ones. Findings were discussed in terms of bestselling picture books' limitations of dealing with critical multicultural issues, domestic picture books' lack of reflection of changing multicultural realities, fantasy picture books'dealing with critical multicultural issues through metaphors, and possible problems of the books conveying biased or confusing messages. It was suggested that an adult's role is essential when the bestselling literature is used for the purpose of multicultural education. Their deliberate guidance can help young children engaged in critical issues of race, gender, and ability and develop their multicultural sensitivities through literature.