The exploration of the contribution of school textbooks to the preparation of young children to be effective citizens is the primary aim of the study reported here. To achieve this aim, 75 primary teachers were interviewed. The analysis of these interviews showed that school textbooks provide young children with specific knowledge that can affect their preparation to be effective citizens. Despite this, it was revealed that school textbooks do not provide children with activities and experiences associated with serving the local community. The study concluded that the contributions of school textbooks in preparing young children to become effective citizens are principally dependent on the appropriate deployment of these textbooks in the classroom settings. (Contains 1 table and 2 notes.)