Daring the invisible : Sexuality, norm criticism and pedagogy in picture books

This essay discusses three picture books in which sexuality is thematized: Bara rumpor, Lilla boken om Stopp! Min kropp! and Hur blev jag till? Och hur kom jag ut? Sexuality is defined as expressions that young children's sexuality may have, such as interest in one's own and others' naked bodies and curiosity about how children are conceived, as well as in terms of masculine and feminine sexuality. Masculine sexuality is connected to adult sexuality, whereas feminine sexuality correlates to children's sexuality and is understood as something larger, concerning the whole body and experiences outside of it. The points made throughout the essay are connected to the development within sex educational children's literature. The books are shown to align with the development by spreading awareness of diversity, describing different ways children are made and by using a gender neutral language. In some areas the books are lacking, however, for example regarding representation of transsexuals. The essay takes into account the pedagogical aspects of the books and analyses what messages are conveyed whether intended or not.