Describes the stereotypic portreyal of American Indians in books written by non-Indians. (JB)

The author of "Indian Summer" responds to criticism by Mary Byler (Library Journal, February 15, 1974 p.546) that his book presents a stereotyped and derogatory picture of the American Indian. (JG)

The image of minorities, particularly blacks, in children's literature has been evolving since World War II when authors' sensitivities to the unjust treatment of such groups were aroused. The implications of this evolution for the critic of children's literature today are important. Passing through the "Age of Awareness" of the forties and…

A brief bibliography of books on American Indian life is included. (MM)

A survey was made of all children's books about Chinese, Chinese Americans, or China for pre-kindergarten through third-grade reading level to determine how the books represent the Chinese or Chinese American to the young child. Books included in the study were identified by one or more of the following factors: (1) book title and bibliographic…

Concludes that the American Indian is misrepresented, distorted, romanticized and victimized in children's literature. (JH)

Research indicates that dialect is used in children's books to suggest the geographic background, social class, educational level, and intelligence of literary characters. Several studies show, however, that young readers develop negative attitudes about characters who speak nonstandard dialects and that these attitudes are intensified if the…

Presents a selective annotated bibliography of books on Native Americans for young people (23 recommended books, 11 books to avoid, 13 guides to selection, and 9 sources for books). Makes suggestions for evaluating books on Native Americans. Pervasive and dehumanizing stereotypes of Native Americans are ingrained in popular culture. (SLD)

Presents an annotated bibliography of recent realistic fiction and informational books for young children portraying Asian American and Native American cultures. Lists 23 fiction and 8 informational books on Asian Americans and 19 fiction and 15 informational books on Native Americans. Lists nine books for adults. (SLD)

Children's fiction written between 1945 and 1962 was analyzed for current stereotypes of minority Americans, and the results were compared with related studies of adult fiction and school textbooks. Two analytic instruments were applied to 114 minority characters selected from 42 children's books about American Indians, Chinese, Japanese, Negroes,…

Native people always wear feathers or headdresses; they frequently brandish tomahawks; they live in tipis; the women usually have babies on their backs; the men are fierce and violent; they lurk behind trees; they spend much time dancing on one leg; and their existence is dependent on the proximity of cowboys. They are not men, women and children,…