Several studies have examined diversity in children's literature, such as gender diversity and racial diversity. This concurrent session focuses on an often-overlooked issue in children's literature...housing diversity. Renting and apartment-living are increasingly popular housing options. Many families with children live in something other than an owned single-family detached house. In the stories they read and the accompanying images, children need to see individuals portrayed positively in a variety of housing environments.
Due to the limited research in this field, a pilot study was conducted to evaluate the "housing message" in children's literature. This poster will address the limited research in this field. Then, using both positive and negative examples, the poster will display a variety of children's books to evaluate the words and images that are used in these stories to describe the housing structures, the neighborhood, the residents, and the staff.