To determine how basal readers reflect the different kinds of family living found in American society today, information was gathered through an analysis of 462 stories relating to family life in eight basal reading series in grades one to six and a single series in grades one through three. Only fiction stories about children were used. The survey form included the following categories: two-parent families (two biological parents, one biological and one step-parent, two adoptive parents, and foster parents), one-parent families (mother only, father only, one adoptive parent), and significant adult (custodial relative, grandparents, babysitter, teacher). Also noted were the number of siblings; location of the story; employment status of mother; whether divorced, deceased, or never married parents were mentioned; and whether references cited were in picture or in text. Results showed that the two-parent family was the most prevalent, comprising 53% of the total stories. Only 19% of the families were portrayed as one-parent families. Divorce was mentioned only three times and the death of a parent only once. Only 16% of the family stories depicted a working mother, and the greatest reference to significant adults was to grandparents. In summary, the study concluded that the typical American family is being portrayed as having two parents and two children living in a house in the suburbs. (The survey form is included in the appendix.) (HOD)