Family ties : representations of the family in juvenile literature : an annotated bibliography

Abstract

Traditionally in children's literature families were portrayed as consisting of a mother, a father and their children. In contemporary' society this is not a true reflection of the family and children's literature now depicts a variety of family types: including single-parent families, same-sex families, interracial families, and foster families.This bibliography provides a selection of resources that realistically portray contemporary family life and situations. The selection aims to serve a number of purposes, including providing information and guidance. The bibliography includes both fiction and non-fiction and is organised by family type.As the changes in family structure are not confined to New Zealand society but are a Western phenomenon, items selected include both New Zealand and international resources.This bibliography aims to show the diverse nature of the family, that there is no such thing as a 'normal' family and that family means many different things to different people.