Missing Mirrors, Missing Windows: Children's Literature Textbooks and LGBT Topics

Concerns for the well-being of lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) 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. (Contains 1 footnote.)