Fireflies, Frogs, and Geckoes: Animal Characters and Cultural Identity in Emergent Children’s Literature

The focus of this article concerns the role the animal character can play in presenting a cultural identity that is inclusive. With reference to the metaphor of mirrors, windows, and doors (Botelho and Rudman 2009), the significance of the animal character in the genre of domestic fantasy is highlighted. Drawing on research into less well-known children’s literature in the Czech Republic, Nepal, Mauritius, and Singapore, it is argued that the talking animal is able to pass under the radar in the case of censorship and avoid representing only one particular ethnic group in multi-cultural societies. In conclusion, the case for recognition of the significance of works by minority authors in emergent children’s literature is made.