Topics of Stress and Abuse in Picture Books for Children

Numerous children face abuse at home and in the workplace. These situations of domestic and societal abuse are found depicted in childrenʹs books for younger and younger ages. This manuscript examines books in several genres, both fiction and non-fiction. The books are analyzed for the quality of the writing, the depiction of an authentic story, the presence of a message of hope and the ability of the story to be used to promote sympathy and activism on the part of children. Ideas are suggested for using these books in primary classrooms.