Lightning Talk
Lightning Talk:
Beyond the Rainbow: A Comparative Look at the Representations of Mainstream and Māori Gender-Diverse Identities in Children’s Picture Books
Presenter:
Yalim Ozdinc
Date:
Wednesday 13 May | 1:30pm – 2:00pm
Presentation Description:
Children’s picture books have evolved into critical mediums for reflecting and shaping perceptions of diversity, inclusion, and identity among young readers. This presentation examines the extent and trajectory of gender-diverse representation in these books, focusing on both mainstream Rainbow (LGBTQI+) themes and indigenous Māori gender-diverse concepts (takatāpui). Drawing on an extensive 15-year review of 211 picture books held in New Zealand libraries, the analysis employs a descriptive method to quantitatively compare the evolution and complexity of Rainbow versus takatāpui representations between 2010 and 2024.
Findings reveal a dramatic, seven-fold increase in the publication of gender-diverse themed picture books, with mainstream Rainbow identities receiving most visibility and narrative sophistication. The complexity of these representations has matured, shifting from single-faceted depictions to multi-dimensional portrayals within a single book, enhancing young readers’ access to nuanced understandings of diversity. However, this progress is not evenly distributed: Māori takatāpui remain strikingly marginalised, appearing in only two picture books within the sample period. This signals both a persistent gap and a nascent movement toward indigenous inclusion.
The presentation will situate these trends within broader pedagogical, social, cultural, and publishing contexts, evaluating the consequences for identity formation, social justice, and cultural survival among Māori youth. The comparative analysis underscores that while mainstream gender diversity has gained ground, Māori takatāpui representation lags behind—impairing both cultural confidence and wider communal understanding. Attendees will gain insights into the mechanisms underlying this disparity and the critical need for multi-stakeholder action. The research offers clear recommendations for educators, librarians, parents, publishers, and policymakers, charting a path toward genuinely inclusive children’s literature that recognises and celebrates all identities.
Yalim Ozdinc
Library Officer, Bayside Library
Presenter Bio
Yalim is an accomplished academic and a library professional with a strong background in research, university teaching, health and public library services. He currently works at Bayside Library as a Library Officer. Holding a Bachelor of Library and Information Studies, Yalim brings expertise in children’s literature, with particular interest in the intersection of indigenous knowledge, gender diversity, and youth education.
As a published author with articles in Web of Science-listed journals, Yalim has earned recognition for scholarly contributions that advance understanding of how people process and use information (e.g., metaphorical cues, negative content) when making daily decisions, such as consumption choices. His recent, peer-reviewed work on takatāpui (Māori gender-diverse) identities and Rainbow concepts in children’s picture books is forthcoming in Kōtuitui: New Zealand Journal of Social Sciences Online. Yalim also actively serves as a peer reviewer for WoS-listed journals
Yalim has delivered presentations and lectures at academic conferences and professional seminars, communicating complex research in accessible and impactful ways. Speaking engagements have included invited talks with nurses on making health information easier to understand, training young researchers on data analysis and research report writing, and discussion panels on equitable practices in public information spaces. Drawing on both frontline library experience and a robust academic profile, Yalim is well-placed to lead research-oriented conversations and offer practical insights to professional and scholarly audiences.