This paper examines how the family has been portrayed in children's literature from the 1950s to the 1990s. Five sample books from each era were randomly selected from the collection of children's literature books from one major university, two colleges, and three public libraries, and each book was examined for content and illustrations. Data on how the family was portrayed were compared to establish trends. The results indicate that over this period of time, the family has moved from a traditional lifestyle to a variety of lifestyles. The types of families portrayed in the literature include divorce or single parent homes, blended families, ethnic families, same-sex families, and extended families. Some issues families are facing include AIDS (cause and effect), inner-city housing, and death of a family member or friend. Educators and parents should be aware of the trends of how families are being portrayed and the emotional repercussions this may have on children. With this awareness they can help children understand their changing environments. (Contains 36 references.) (JDM)