Name: Illuminating Women’s Impact Through Illustration and Design in Nonfiction Biographical Picturebooks
Start: 2026-10-08T09:30:00-0400
End: 2026-10-08T10:00:00-0400

Illuminating Women’s Impact Through Illustration and Design in Nonfiction Biographical Picturebooks

Thursday October 8, 2026 9:30am - 10:00am EDT

Studio

Nonfiction biographical picturebooks for young people that center individuals who have made a difference across a wide range of fields are being published in notable numbers today. Reading and viewing these texts offers an engaging and meaningful way for young people to learn about the people whose ideas, creativity, and courage have shaped our world, made our lives easier and healthier, more expressive, and served as role models.

Historically, nonfiction picturebooks have overwhelmingly centered on men and their accomplishments. A growing body of contemporary titles is giving long overdue attention to women who have influenced society in impactful ways. This shift offers a significant opportunity for young people to examine how women’s lives and contributions are being visually represented in picturebooks designed for them.

What makes multimodal picturebooks especially powerful tools for enjoyment and learning is the combination of the narrative and the visual elements. The illustrations carry significant weight in representing the ideas, stories, and people at the center. Through design and imagery choices, these books construct meaning that extends well beyond the written text and invite readers to see women’s contributions through intentional visual design.

This session presents a visual content analysis of nonfiction biographical picturebooks about women who have impacted society. It highlights emerging visual patterns, representational choices, and visual strategies in recently published titles, offering insights into how illustration shapes young people’s understanding and celebration of women’s roles in culture, history, and community life.

Speakers

Dr. Geri Chesner

Professor, Strategic Educational Leadership, National Louis University

Geri has focused on the power of children's literature and visual texts as catalysts for literacy development, with particular emphasis on visual and critical literacy. She serves as a professor at National Louis University in Chicago, IL, and has been an active member of IVLA for... Read More →

Thursday October 8, 2026 9:30am - 10:00am EDT
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IVLA 2026 Charleston

Dr. Geri Chesner

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IVLA 2026 Charleston

Dr. Geri Chesner

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