Two Little Knights, Worm Loves Worm… and Other Representations of Masculinity in the Contemporary Illustrated Children’s Book

Abstract

In the last few years, there have been significant changes in the way the male gender is represented in children's picture books, mainly on an international level. With traditional masculinity following a slow but steady downward trend, the male character, whether human, animal or inanimate object, appears, having more freedom in his behavior, likes and choices. Through references to research and theories regarding the liberation of men from their biological sex in the context of a more free reading of male characteristics as they are depicted in the children's picture book, an attempt is made to investigate, but also to broaden the reading field of the reader, child and adult. At the end of the paper some illustrated books, Greek or translated, are presented, as well as some thoughts on the use of similar books in order to overturn stereotypes regarding the male gender in literature, but also to promote inclusion, tolerance of diversity and free self-orientation.