Isabel Millán, an assistant professor at the University of Oregon, has worked to explore how children’s literature can be used as a tool to introduce different identities to kids at a young age.

Millán released her latest book, "Coloring into Existence: Queer of Color Worldmaking in Children’s Literature," in December 2023. The book explores representations of different identities in children’s literature, building off Millán’s academic research.

“Children's literature is powerful not only for children but also for adults, which is why I like to incorporate young adult novels or children's picture books into all of my courses, regardless of the topic,” Millán said. Millán is the director of Undergraduate Studies in Women’s, Gender, and Sexuality Studies and an assistant professor at the University of Oregon College of Arts and Sciences.

"Coloring into Existence: Queer of Color Worldmaking in Children’s Literature," analyzes authors, illustrators, publishers, and audiences for queer and trans of color children’s picture books. A comparative study covering Canada, the United States and Mexico, the book explores a period from 1990 to 2020, in which a “new literary archive” of queer and trans of color children’s literature were published. 

Millán received many accolades for her work on Coloring into Existence in the 11 months since its release. From the International Latino Book Awards, Millán received a 2024 gold medal for "Best LGBTQ+ Themed Book" and the silver medal in "The Raul Yzaguirre Best Political/Current Affairs Book." She also honored with a “Rising Star” Award for Nonfiction.

In undergrad, Millán majored in Anthropology and Women’s Gender, and Sexuality Studies, and she minored in LGBTQ Studies. She followed her undergrad career with an MA in Ethnic Studies and a PhD in American Culture, as well as a certificate in Latinx Studies. These different degrees have influenced her research because of their broad applicability.

“What I love about interdisciplinary fields such as American Studies, Ethnic Studies, and Women's, Gender, and Sexuality Studies is that they do not limit what one can study, but instead, provide theoretical frameworks and methodologies for studying everything around us,” Millán said.

Millán uses this perspective in her research as well as in her teaching. In the classroom, she uses interdisciplinary frames to help her students understand the material they are studying. She also incorporates children’s literature into her classes, despite the fact that adults aren’t typically the intended audiences for these books.

“My methodology privileged discourse analysis such as close readings of picture book text and illustrations, historical analysis of archival research materials, and extensive open-ended interviews with picture book authors, illustrators, publishers, educators, parents, and community leaders,” Millán said.

In addition to her scholarly writing, Millán is also a children’s book writer and illustrator. From 2018 to 2022, she wrote, illustrated and translated "Chabelita’s Heart/El corazón de Chabelita," a children’s picture book which focuses on a young Chicana girl who, alongside her family, “discovers it’s okay to like other girls.” Since its publication in 2022, the book received many awards, including the “International Latino Book Award” in 2023.

“The picture book uniquely bridges gender and sexuality with other major themes such as migration, race/ethnicity, and social justice/eco-activism,” she said.

—By Grace Connolly, College of Arts and Sciences