The article presents an analysis of work values and norms as presented in primary school textbooks. The latter function as a socialization channel in the education sphere. The author relates the specifics of work values and norms represented by textbooks to the socioeconomic and ideological situation in the society. The transformation of the education canon from the late Soviet time till present is considered. The article discusses changes in prestige of work as such and in some work values, in particular, achievement norms and motivation. The mechanisms shaping the content of textbooks are compared with the processes of canon creation in children literature.