Faulty fables — Kids' books show disabilities inaccurately, Y. experts say

PROVO — Grumpy, Dopey and Bashful are famously known as three of Snow White's seven dwarfs in the Caldecott Medal award-winning "Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs."

But the portrayal of disabilities — such as dwarfism — in Caldecott books, at times have not accurately represented real-life disabilities, according to Tina T. Dyches and Mary Anne Prater, professors of counseling psychology and special education at Brigham Young University.

In the study "Portrayal of Disabilities in Caldecott Books," published in the online education journal, Teaching Exceptional Children Plus, the professors say characters with disabilities in children's books are not fairly represented and that some of the books reinforce negative stereotypes and misrepresent prevalent disabilities.

"We realize that many of the books are based on fairy tales, which have endings far different from real life," said Dyches. "A discussion at the end of the book can help children understand how the book deviates from reality."

The Randolph J. Caldecott Medal has been given since 1938 by the American Library Association to an American picture book for children. Caldecott winners often benefit from increased book sales and, for the most part, can expect longevity in the industry.

Disabilities varying from learning, speech and mental and emotional disturbances are found in nearly 12 percent of children in public schools. However, there is not similar representation among characters in many of the Caldecott books, said Dyches.

Dyches said the disabilities that are depicted are apparent — like blindness or a physical impediment that would cause a limp. The most common disabilities, however, such as learning or speech impairments, aren't seen in the books.

"The Caldecott winners are, by and large, wonderful books that students, parents and teachers rightly cherish," said Prater. "We are merely saying that this is an issue that requires some attention."

In their study, the BYU professors give teachers tips and questions they can ask students after reading a Caldecott book that contains a character with a disability. They say these questions can create discussions about disabilities and clear up any misrepresentations that could be seen in the book.