Analyzing the Use and Function of Mock Spanish in the Picturebook Collection Skippyjon Jones

Abstract

This dissertation analyzes the use of Mock Spanish in the children’s picturebook collection Skippyjon Jones. The hypothesis of this paper is that this children’s book collection Skippyjon Jones uses Spanish as a mock language instead of introducing children to the Spanish culture and language. The books are addressed specifically to a white Anglo-Saxon population, but the analysis suggests that they do not really contribute to the social integration of the Latino community. Rather, they seem to reinforce preconceived negative stereotypes against Spanish speakers particularly, Mexicans in the USA