Asian representations in children's picture books published in the United States from 1983-1993 had been examined in the Harada (1995) study, but a study focusing specifically on Korean and Korean American representations in children's picture books published in the United States has not been conducted. The purpose of this study was to examine Korean and Korean American representations in children's picture books published in the United States from 1999-2008. An analysis was conducted for a total of twenty-two children's picture books, which were written by Korean authors or non-Korean authors and illustrated by Korean illustrators or non-Korean illustrators.;This study applied the descriptive research methodology using content analysis, which systematically and objectively analyzes existing documents as data sources, a commonly used method in researching aspects or values in children's literature. The content of the picture books was analyzed to examine Korean and Korean American representations in characters, plot, language, historical tradition, and visual artwork in children's picture books. The analysis was conducted to assess whether Koreans and Korean Americans have been stereotyped, and whether the ethnicity of the author (being either a Korean author or a non-Korean author) and the ethnicity of the illustrator (being either a Korean illustrator or a non-Korean illustrator) impacted how Koreans and Korean Americans were portrayed (realistically or stereotypically). The study's evaluation instruments were adapted from Harada (1995), Berelson & Salter (1946), Gast (1965), and Katz & Braly (1933). A total of twenty-nine criteria were used to rate authors and illustrators. A principal evaluator and a secondary evaluator were used to guard against bias, and an inter-rater reliability of 95% was established.;The findings from the study indicated that the ethnicity of the author (being either a Korean author or a non-Korean author) did not impact whether stereotypes were found in the text/writing of the children's picture books. The results of the analysis showed that 67% of children's picture books written by Korean authors and 57% of those written by non-Korean authors contained stereotypes.;On the other hand, the findings indicated that the ethnicity of the illustrator, (being either a Korean illustrator or a non-Korean illustrator), did impact the visual accuracy of the illustrations in the children's picture books. The results of the analysis showed that 0% of children's picture books illustrated by Korean illustrators and 69% of those illustrated by non-Korean illustrators contained stereotypes. Korean illustrators recognized and portrayed the physical variations within the Korean population. The majority of non-Korean illustrators had the tendency to depict the Korean people with exaggerated facial features and frequently depicted them with a set standard of unvarying physical traits.;The findings revealed that the themes of family, Korean and American cross culture, and historical tradition were explored in the twenty-two children's picture books. For most Korean authors, the emphasis in the stories was more about the family bond and a connection to a family legacy that looked to the past rather than the individuality of the main character. For most non-Korean authors, the emphasis leaned more towards the individuality of the main character in present circumstances.;This present study is important because it analyzed the trend of Korean and Korean American representations in children's picture books published in the United States from 1999-2008, which maybe helpful to authors, illustrators, publishers, those who work with Korean and Korean American issues, and the educational community.
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