Representation of South Asians in U.S. American Children’s Picture Books

One potential cause of racism against South Asian Americans in school could be the lack of authentic representation of South Asians in the media. A method to properly depict them is via children’s picture books, which can be used to explore different cultures within the classroom. I examined the current landscape of American children’s picture books that depict South Asians and found that the most authentic portrayals included characters embracing certain holidays or traditions. Additionally, I researched issues that affect the South Asian community, one of which includes the stigmatization of mental health. Drawing on my own experiences, I wrote a manuscript for a children’s picture book that featured a character experiencing anxiety while celebrating a holiday often celebrated by South Asian Muslims: Eid al-Fitr. This manuscript is meant to portray South Asians in a nuanced manner while also normalizing issues some of them may face.