Research Directions: Missing Mirrors, Missing Windows: Children’s Literature Textbooks and LGBT Topics

Concerns for the well-being of lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LBGT) youth and the children of families who so self-identify suggest that teachers may need additional support in fostering classrooms that welcome all students. The field of children’s literature has long-standing interests in multiple cultures and the literature representing that diversity; this suggests that children’s literature textbooks may be an important source for broadening teachers’ instructional base. A content analysis of the six, top-selling children’s literature textbooks reviewed tables of contents and indices for specific descriptors, locating textbook sections containing LGBT-related literature; these, in turn, were examined for content, placement, and manner of presentation. Three of the six textbooks included LGBT orientation in considerations of multicultural literature; a fourth did not but presented a strong and unique section on same-sex families as part of diversity. Five of the six included LGBT books in chapters on realistic fiction; the sixth did not address LGBT orientations in any fashion. This paper concludes with suggestions for textbook authors, teacher educators, and teachers regarding enhanced inclusion of LGBT literature and topics.