Models of identity construction: representations and gender stereotypes in children's literature

The path to acquiring an identity is complex and not without its problems for girls and boys; it is therefore necessary to avoid the accumulation of absolutely gratuitous and removable obstacles on their formative path, such as those caused by gender restrictions. Contemporary children's literature today opens up to perspectives of this kind, feeding the imagination of readers with stories that address the gender issue from the perspective of the acquisition of an identity free of stereotypes. As we intend to demonstrate in this paper, an important contribution from this point of view is offered by the studies Carmela Covato has conducted on the relationship between gender and education, offering a careful look at the use of literary sources, among which children's narratives are rightfully included.