This study analyses three children’s books, selected from a list of bestsellers during 2016. The selected books are intended for children aged 6–9 and are categorized as easy reading. The aim of the study is to analyse how girls and boys are portrayed in children’s literature from a gender perspective. With this study we want to bring greater awareness and understanding of gender in children’s literature. When children read, they create new experiences and ideas about the world around them. As a teacher it is therefore important to have gender awareness when choosing books in the classroom. The analyses showed that the books contained not only reproductions of traditional gender patterns but also characters who went against the norms. This result agreed in part with previous research and the prevailing discourses in society.