International Children’s Book Awards and Cultural Marxism

Picture books that have won the Children's Book Award are universally recognized as beneficial works for children. However, several award-winning works contain a hegemonic ideology wrapped in diversity and human rights. The hegemony agenda of cultural Marxism is multiculturalism, gender ideology, and ecology, which seeks to overthrow existing values. This agenda aims to lead the 'New World Order' and to have hegemony in globalization in the 21st century. This study analyzed the hegemony agenda that appeared in the latest 25 picture books of 7 children's books of international status. As a result, six picture books were identified that depict multiculturalism, featuring oppressed protagonists such as people of color (Asian, African), LGBTQ individuals, Indigenous peoples, and children. These books portray the harm inflicted by white oppressors. Nine picture books were identified that depict gender ideology, emphasizing diverse family structures and content that challenges traditional values regarding family, identity, and sexuality. Nine picture books were identified that depict ecologism, highlighting a nihilistic view that emphasizes the world’s worthlessness and features elements of eco-based Gnosticism. One picture book was identified that describes the New World Order, emphasizing weak human beings and a dystopian world. The significance of this study suggests that the selection criteria for international children's books are oriented to cultural Marsism, and imply ideological lessons and persuasion intentions.