A literary analysis of post #MeToo anglophone children’s literature

The present research aims to explore #MeToo themes in Anglophone children's literature published in post-#MeToo era. The selected case studies, intended for children aged three to nine, include My Shadow Is Pink by Scott Stuart, Franny's Father Is a Feminist by Rhonda Leet, and What Are Little Girls Made of? by Jeanne Willis. Through a #MeToo lens and drawing on feminist theories of gender, these case studies were closely examined. The #MeToo themes emerged from this literary analysis include queer mirroring and gender performativity, gender norms related to household chores, emotions, and clothing; consent, (gendered) fear, and power relations. A literary analysis of the textual and visual elements of these case studies reveals that by attributing agency to children and empowering them to exercise choice and independence, they can develop political consciousness, assert their personhood, challenge and reshape societal scripts surrounding gender, and become the heroes of their own narratives. Far from seeing children as passive recipients of adult instructions, this project and the chosen case studies show that children can enact their own unique forms of personal and even political agency and consciousness. This research highlights the transformative potential of children's literature, both for children and adults, when viewed through a #MeToo lens.