This paper analyses gender typed roles in the contemporary Croatian children's novel. The aim is to detect and interpret gender roles based on literary theoretical methodological instruments, as well as their functionality at the level of male-female relations, but also at the level of age (non) authority and importance in creating the modernity / postmodernity of the poetics of selected novels. The analyzed novels are Decameron za golobrade pustolove by Želimir Ciglar, Twist na bazenu by Jadranko Bitenc, Lažeš, Melita by Ivan Kušan, Gumi-gumi ili djevojčica koja je preskočila nebesa by Zoran Pongrašić, Čuj, Pigi, zaljubila sam se by Branka Kalauz, Dnevnik Pauline P. by Sanja Polak, Sretni dani by Miro Gavran, Bum Tomica, Vanda by Silvija Šesto Stipaničić, O mama sve najbolje, Mrvice iz dnevnog boravka by Sanja Pilić i Lastin rep by Nada Mihoković-Kumrić. The analysis of literary characters within these novels showed that some gender roles of men and women have changed in relation to traditional stereotypical thinking, and some have remained the same. Moreover, the gender relations of the power(lessness) of women and men have changed, and some have remained the same according to the traditional notions.