Creation of Children’s Picture Book for Communication on Gender Diversity

Abstract

This research is a study about communication on gender diversity depicted in children's picture books. The objectives of this study are to analyze the attributes of children's picture books that are made for gender diversity communication, to study the process of creating a children's picture book with communication on gender diversity in Thai's society context and to study the recipients’ understanding of gender diversity after reading children's picture book made to communicate gender diversity in Thai's society.
It was found that an important attribute of children's picture books for communicating gender diversity is to include the topic in a basic and familiar manner as any other children's picture books are depicted by using semiotics, and/or attenuation to reflect the person’s self-value, promote freedom of will and acceptance in oneself.
Thus "Chud Mai KhongLukMhee" (Little bear's new dresses); a children’s picture book for communicating gender diversity in Thai’s society context was created based on those attributes above. The making of this book consists of five steps inserted with concept of gender diversity in symbolic form among various elements of the book such as the fabrication of the character, clothing and context described with the purpose of promoting freedom of will and acceptance in oneself.
The result showed that recipients can understand the message of free will from the "Chud Mai KhongLukMhee" picture book but need additional explanations at the end of the book for better understanding. Also the most understood symbolic depiction are "skirt" and "pants". And because all recipients have some backgrounds on recognizing gender diversity issues, most could get the message about promoting self-value and acceptance in oneself. Still there are some people who refuse to choose "Chud Mai KhongLukMhee" as a picture book for their children for the reason that it’s unnecessary.