Four key patterns appeared across the picture books in this study. Together, these findings show that cultural identity and resilience are represented as relational, culturally grounded, and closely connected to family, community, and land.
Rather than presenting resilience as an individual trait, the books in this study most often represented resilience through relationships, care, cultural continuity, and connection to place. Text and illustration worked together to communicate these meanings in ways that were accessible and meaningful for children.
Identity was often represented through relationships with family, Elders, community, ancestors, and land. Children were shown as connected to others rather than as separate individuals. Across the books, identity was grounded in belonging, responsibility, and connection.
Resilience was not usually represented through dramatic or heroic moments. Instead, it appeared in ordinary experiences such as family care, remembering, storytelling, language, and daily cultural practices. These everyday moments communicated strength, continuity, and well-being.
Many books showed children learning from family members, joining in traditions, asking questions, and participating in cultural practices. Children were not presented as passive observers. They were portrayed as active participants in carrying culture forward.
The visual elements of the books added emotional and cultural meaning that the written text alone could not fully express. Colour, perspective, symbolism, body language, and setting helped communicate relationships, memory, belonging, and connection to land.
A central finding of the study was that identity was most often represented as relational. Children were shown in connection with family members, communities, and land rather than as isolated individuals.
In many books, identity emerged through interactions with parents, grandparents, siblings, and Elders. These relationships communicated belonging, care, and shared knowledge.
Identity was also connected to place. Natural settings, seasonal activities, and land-based experiences were often shown as meaningful parts of who children are and how they belong.
The books in this study often represented resilience through ordinary acts of care, continuity, and relationship. Resilience appeared as something lived and shared, not simply as personal toughness.
Resilience was often conveyed through love, protection, teaching, and remembering. These forms of everyday care created a sense of stability and strength.
The books suggested that resilience is supported by connection to family, community, language, and culture. This representation differs from more individualistic understandings of resilience.
Another important finding was that children were frequently represented as capable and engaged participants in cultural continuity.
Children were shown listening, practicing, helping, asking questions, and taking part in cultural routines and teachings. These portrayals highlighted agency and participation.
Cultural continuity was represented not only through memory or tradition, but through what children actively do in the present. This made continuity feel living, ongoing, and shared.
The study also found that illustrations were essential to how these books communicated meaning. In many cases, images deepened the emotional, relational, and cultural significance of the story.
Expressions, gesture, composition, colour, and symbolism often communicated themes of belonging, memory, and connection in ways that supported children’s understanding.
These books show that meaning is created through the interaction of text and image. This is especially important in picture books, where illustrations are central to how children read and interpret the story.