Literature is a great resource for teaching valuable principles to children, including how to cope with bullying. However, no analyses exist regarding the appropriateness of these books. Children's books were identified as potential stories for bibliotherapy with elementary school children who face bullying. Information presented in selected books was compared to the current research literature on bullying. Each book's content was analyzed according to important variables, including the type of bullying behavior, gender of the perpetrator and target, presence of bystanders, adult involvement, and resolution of the problem. Verbal bullying was most commonly observed, followed closely by physical bullying. The majority of bullies were male, though targets were equally likely to be male or female. Many stories included bystanders and adults, who responded most often by supporting the target. Of the multiple types of resolution, the most commonly observed were for the target to receive support from others or to develop self confidence or other personal coping skills. While much of the information presented was in accordance with the current research literature on bullying, some was not. For example, the books were accurate in portraying the majority of bullies as male, but less accurate with regard to the gender of targets—in reality, the majority of targets are also male. The books were also correct in showing that verbal bullying is more commonly observed than physical or relational bullying. The sample included bullying occurring frequently on the playground, which is in line with the research, but also very often in the classroom, which is not supported by the research to date. Overall, the portrayals of bullying situations in the sample were generally in accordance with what has been reported in the bullying research. All of the collected information was consolidated into three charts to help practitioners select bullying-themed books to read with children who struggle with this common problem.

Previous research suggests that most incidents of bullying occur in school settings. However, teachers are not always aware of bullying incidences and often do not intervene. As bullying has negative long-term consequences for the bully, victim, and bystander, it is important to identify effective ways to reduce this problem. Responding to incidents of bullying at school, bibliotherapy is a cost effective way to support students and teach coping strategies. Numerous bully-themed books model a variety of strategies to deter bullying. Because of their busy schedule and limited opportunities to review books, teachers may need assistance in identifying books that promote recommended strategies to deter incidents of bullying. This research investigated teachers' perceptions of bystander strategies in four selected bully-themed children's picture books. Selected books contained bystander responses to bullying. Participants included two kindergarten and two first-grade female teachers. Teachers read the four selected books with their classes. Afterward, the four teachers participated in a focus group to discuss outlined research questions. Additionally, teachers reviewed the Anti-Defamation League's recommended bystander strategies and rated the effectiveness of these strategies in reducing bullying. To assist young children in identifying with and understanding the story's message, focus group discussion emphasized the importance of selecting books with a straightforward storyline. Teachers reported enjoying using bibliotherapy and appreciated the power of a story to encourage student discussion about bullying. They also suggested that selected books should contain story characters that model appropriate strategies to deter bullying. In regard to their young students, teachers rated two strategies as most effective in deterring bullying: (a) encouraging the bystander to go with the victim to tell an adult and (b) telling the bully to stop. Summarizing information from the focus group and based on teachers' responses to a short questionnaire, suggestions are made to assist kindergarten and first-grade teachers in selecting books on the topic of bullying and sharing these books with their classes.

The purpose of this thesis is to assess children's exposure to aggression through popular children's picture books. Little research has been performed regarding aggression in such books. By analyzing 301 picture books, this study found that the average picture book contained 1.36 aggressive acts, and that aggressive acts were more likely to be included in picture books meant for older children. Verbal aggression was the most widely used type of aggression in children's picture books. There was no significant relationship between the type of character (human or nonhuman) and whether the character acted aggressively. Male characters were more likely to be shown aggressing towards other male characters; they were also more likely to be shown using physical aggression and violent ideation. Aggressive acts in children's picture books are more likely to be portrayed as unjustified, with no consequences, and no adult involvement to help resolve the situation. Children's picture books could be a useful tool for parents, teachers, and adults to teach children about aggression and appropriate solutions for resolving conflict.

The purpose of this study was to examine gender depiction in picture books in preschools. Our experience is that many picture books contain old-fashioned gender stereotypes. During the analysing process, we used the following theories: Yvonne Hirdman’s theory about the stereotypic gender contract and Lev Vygotskij’s theory about experiences increasing our ability to fantasize. We read through 154 picture books in two preschools and categorized them into two categories: normative and non-normative books. Later we chose ten of these books for further analysis. Furthermore, we interviewed five preschool teachers about their views and experiences in the subject, gender in children’s picture books. We used a qualitative method when analysing both the picture books and the interviews. Noticeably, none of the ten books we analysed thoroughly were completely normative or completely non-normative; they all contained more or less content from each category. Despite this, most of the 154 books were more normative than not. Also, all of the preschool teachers said in the interviews that they thought it important in what way gender is depicted in the book collection they have in the preschool. However, most of them also said that they don’t think that the books have much influence over children’s apprehension of gender. The preschool teachers also described different ways in which they made compensations for the normativity in the books.

The purpose of my research was to determine how the use of picture books during instruction would improve student word choice in writing. Donald Graves (2003), a renowned researcher in the teaching of writing, states, "All children need . . . to be surrounded with poetry, stories, information books, biography, science and history, imaginative and factual books." Graves' research presents successful classroom instruction when teachers incorporate literature as a fundamental part of their reading and writing instruction. Likewise, Susan Anderson McElveen and Connie Campbell Dierking (2000) conducted a study with their students using picture books as "precise examples" to teach writing. Their analysis of data showed that using children's literature, or picture books, served as a "bridge that linked the target skill with the reason for thinking, speaking, and writing like a writer" with their students. The subjects of my study were my fourth-grade students. I obtained data for this study from student writing samples, anecdotal records of my students, my daily reflections, class discussions, debriefings, and writing activities. I assessed students' writing samples using criteria for assessing word choice in the 6-Point Writing Guide in Vicki Spandel's (2005) Creating Young Writers. This study found that the majority of my students demonstrated improved word choice in their writing. Limitations of this study are discussed, as well as implications for future use of picture books during instruction.

Målet med studien var att försöka ta reda på vilken roll bilderboken har i EFL klassrummet, i den svenska grundskolans årkurs 1-3, och hur de medverkande lärarna definierar bilderböcker. Tidigare forskning visar att användandet av bilderböcker i EFL klassrummet bidrar med flera fördelar för elever, bland annat utveckling av literacy. Den tidigare forskningen visar också att lärare bör ha i åtanke och undersöka att bilderböcker de väljer att använda ger en rättvis bild av engelsktalande områdens kultur, innan de påbörjar arbetet med bilderböcker.  Genom analys av kvalitativa intervjuer visar resultatet av denna studie att flera av de medverkande lärarna ser att det finns en tidsbrist i engelskundervisningen, vilken bidrar till att de väljer att inte använda bilderböcker. En stor fördel som de deltagande lärarna ser med bilderböcker är just bilderna, i form av bildstöd, som flera av dem nämner som fördelaktiga vid inlärning av ett nytt språk. / The aim of this study was to find out whether or not picture books have a role in the EFL classroom in the Swedish primary school, year 1-3, and how the participating teachers define picture books. Previous research show that using picture books comes with several benefits for the pupils, including developing literacy. The previous research also show that teachers should have in mind and investigate if the picture book of their choice do the culture, pictured in the picture book, justice. Through analysis of qualitative interviews, the result of this research show that several of the participating teachers notice that there is lack of time, which is part of the reason why they choose not to use picture books. One benefit that the teachers notice with picture books are the pictures, used as image support when learning a new language.

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In this thesis I investigate aesthetic preference for picture books among children aged 3–6 as well as criteria for preference among parents. Through my design project: illustration of a picture book, I aim to put my research on preference in the context of illustration and design. By using the design project as an applied method for research I have sought to answer how one as an illustrator can apply knowledge regarding preferences of the target groups when illustrating for picture books. I have primarily based my research within the field of cognitive developmental psychology, with primary focus on stage theory, and the field of literature. I also performed small scale studies on preference as well as a web survey. The results regarding childrens preferences confirm previous studies. It shows that children base preference mainly on subject matter and colour. They also show preference for saturated colours and pictures with less realism. The parents tended to like what their children like regarding colour. Message, conversation and humour were found to be significant, but not generalizable criteria for preference among parents. These findings were summarized and used as guide lines during the process of illustrating a picture book.

The study is a qualitative literature analysis with the purpose of examining how children and preschool pedagogues were portrayed in picture books that take place in the preschool environment, based on gender perspectives. To define the material, books that take place in the preschool environment had been selected. The purpose of the study was also to examine how relationships between children and preschool pedagogues were portrayed, from a gender perspective. And whether there was a difference between the gender portrayals depending on the year when the book was published. The picture book analysis has created an understanding of how preschool pedagogues can work gender pedagogically with literature as a tool, together with the children. The analysis and the results have shown that there are variations in how gender and gender roles were portrayed in the picture books. It also showed that there are picture books that are gender conscious and that some maintain and enhance gender roles.

本創作嘗試發展一套結合音樂與故事元素的數位繪本，以非線性敘事為架構，融入音樂敘事元素，以「帶走一首曲子」的閱讀形式，創造一種新的繪本閱讀經驗。在閱讀繪本的過程中，讀者可以透過選擇場景中的角色，在閱讀完該角色故事後，獲得代表角色的音樂元素。隨著多次選擇互動，背景的音樂元素也慢慢增加，讀完故事的最後，可以得到一首完整的曲子。根據讀者的選擇不同，將得到不同的音樂結果，此結果也詮釋了每一次的故事經驗。 本繪本創作以「心弦之歌」為主題，透過主角與城市人物的互動，產生聽覺和視覺的變化。本創作期望創造一個由單一至豐富的閱讀體驗，透過音樂、人物與故事的結合，加深作品所要傳達的訊息，並結合音樂和繪本的療癒特性，來達到滿足的效果。 創作完成後進行作品實測與評估，施測對象根據目標對象及評估目標，由21-30歲具繪本閱讀經驗者及潛在讀者、具數位繪本或音樂相關互動App使用經驗者、具音樂背景者所組成，分別就內容及形式兩個面向，透過作品實測、問卷和深入訪談的方式來評估是否達成創作目的，並針對問卷及訪談的結果進行歸納分析，最後提出結論和建議。 / The purpose of this research is to develop an interactive digital picture book app which combines musical and narrative elements by adding musical narration into non-linear narrative structure. This digital project, “Song of Heartstrings”, is aimed at creating a new reading experience of picture book by designing the reading form: “Bring Back a Song”. “Song of Heartstrings” shows auditory and visual changes through the interactions between protagonist and other characters. Through the reading process, audience can select one or more characters among all, and collect corresponding soundtrack after finishing the character’s storyline. The goal of this app is evaluated by readers’ experiences test, questionnaires and in-depth interviews. After that, we use inductive approach to analyze the result of questionnaires and in-depth interviews, and make conclusion and recommendation.