Books shape how children learn about society and norms, in part through representation of different characters. We use computational tools to characterize representation in children's books widely read in homes, classrooms, and libraries over the last century, and describe economic forces that may contribute to these patterns. We introduce new…

The way that people of different identities are portrayed in children's books can send subconscious messages about how positively or negatively children should think about people with those identities. These messages can then shape the next generation's perceptions and attitudes about people, which can have important implications for belief…

Background: Education teaches children about the world, its people, and their place in it. Much of this happens through the curricular materials we present to children, particularly the books they read in school and at home (Giroux, 1981; Apple and Christian-Smith, 1991; Jansen, 1997; Van Kleeck, Stahl and Bauer, 2003; Steele, 2010). How different…