An Evaluation of the Work of Chris van Allsburg as a Contribution to Multicultural Children's Literature.
This paper will attempt to demonstrate that van Allsburg has been cited for his contribution to multicultural literature as he subtly, but nonetheless powerfully, portrays the irrational hatred and cruel condescension that "difference" and diversity so often stimulate in people. It will be suggested that, as children are unusually sensitive to power dynamics, and in particular to issues of injustice, van Allsburg's depiction of these responses to diversity possess a resonance that would perhaps be lost upon many adults. 11.5 pgs. 4 f/c. 6b.
