To determine whether elementary reading textbooks from a socialist country contained less sex-role stereotyping than previously-studied United States readers, an analysis of 374 books from the German Democratic Republic (G.D.R.) was undertaken. A sex bias index was calculated for both the G.D.R. and the U.S. books by finding the average difference in the percentage of major character role and career role assignments for males and females. The results showed that while male major characters dominated both U.S. and G.D.R. textbooks, the dominance in the G.D.R. readers was less marked (3:1) than in the U.S. texts (4:1), and that females appeared in career roles significantly more often in the G.D.R. texts than in the U.S. readers. The findings confirmed that sex bias is significantly lower in the G.D.R. readers. An analysis of the illustrations used in the G.D.R. readers supported the findings. In addition to a more realistic portrayal of males and females, the illustrations in the G.D.R. texts also reinforced a definite set of social and political values, showing the interaction of children with adults and emphasizing the role of women and children in important historical events. (Tables of findings and an explanation of the sex bias index are appended.) (FL)