How are black characters in children's literature being studied? Investigating categories of analysis

Abstract

The article investigates the modes of characterization of Black characters in children’s literature. The study had two main objectives: to identify how literary works featuring Black protagonists have been studied and categorized in articles published in national journals between 2020 and 2025; and to contribute to this body of research by also proposing analytical categories grounded in an established theoretical framework within the field. Using the state-of-the-art methodological approach, eight articles were selected for category analysis. In relation to the second objective, four contemporary trends (or categories) were proposed: “The African Continent: Plurality vs. Unity”, “Conflicts in the Child’s Universe”, “Appreciation of Black Aesthetics and Identity”, and “Ancestry and Resistance”. The findings indicate a diverse interpretative approach to children’s literature featuring Black protagonists, demonstrating progress compared to previous periods. Additionally, the four proposed categories or trends each address, in their own way, the thematic diversity and the broad range of possibilities that unfold for Black characters in contemporary literature. Finally, the study underscores the imperative of unwavering advocacy for literary quality alongside the appreciation of human values.