Children's Literature Association Quarterly

Abstract:

Although nonfiction has always been a significant component within children's literature, the genre remains understudied. This article redresses the balance by focussing on perspective taking in literary nonfiction for children. Adding a cognitive framework to Sutliff Sanders' ideas (2018) on critical engagement with nonfiction, this article explores how deictic markers and blending position readers in different roles and perspectives and how these positions influence the representation of scientists. An analysis of The Mystery of Life by Jan Paul Schutten and Floor Rieder shows how deixis and blends proffer readers opportunities to overcome strict alignment with the narratee and temporarily identify with the group of scientists.