Abstract:

Picture books have the possibility to introduce children to the world they live in. Reality is not always pleasant, and picture books can prepare children for the things they may experience and to prepare them for facing also the sad aspects of life, for example death and grieving. Particularly picture books with the topic of death can also help educators to provide support for children when they experience loss.

The paper “The Theme of Death in Picture Books for Children” sets a theoretical framework for the analysis of a selection of picture books, in German and Croatian language, which focus on the topic of death. Within this framework, the authors address the tragic triad of suffering, guilt, and death, and especially children’s reactions to death. They also set the criteria for the analysis of selected picture books.

Attributes specific to picture books are analyzed first – the narrative, verbal, and visual (illustrated) dimensions. The paper then observes the writers’ attitudes towards death, dying and grief, based on the reactions of their chosen protagonists. Finally, coping strategies are discussed, as a means to deal with the issues mentioned.

Keywords:

Picture book, death, narration, illustration, logotherapy.