Children's literature and mythology: the case of Dilge Güney

Humankind has always wondered about the past, the formation of the Earth, the origins of the moon, the sun, and the stars, and how they were formed. They not only wondered but also sought to explain these and their formation. It is through this curiosity and explanation that mythologies emerged. Therefore, we can define mythologies as stories that narrate and explain creation. When mythologies are examined, they reveal the adventures of gods and heroes, shared values of their respective cultures. While narrating these stories, people also added their own fantasies. Thus, mythologies became a focus of human interest, enriched by impossible dreams. They contained many elements that captured human interest. Children's literature, with its subjects being children, has also taken an interest in mythology, a product of rich imagination. Heroes with extraordinary powers naturally captivated children's attention. Therefore, children's literature writers began to utilize mythology in their works to enrich their fictional narratives. Mythology is used to illustrate positive and inappropriate behaviors that children are encouraged to grasp. This is intended to both entertain children and, through entertainment, encourage them to reflect and interpret life. Dilge Güney is one of our authors who produces works in children's literature and utilizes mythology in her works. This study examines all of Güney's works to determine how she uses mythology and mythological elements. The author's suitability for children is discussed. Information about the identified mythological elements is briefly explained, and an attempt is made to determine whether these elements are used appropriately in the works they appear in. In this context, the study utilizes document analysis, a qualitative research method. This study examined the mythological elements Dilge Güney uses in her works and explored their contributions. It is believed that works incorporating mythology can be richer and more engaging in content than those that do not. Because of these characteristics, children may be more drawn to works that incorporate mythological elements. Thus, it can be concluded that works incorporating mythological elements can enrich children's imaginations, develop their creative thinking, and expand their vocabulary. It has also been determined that mythology plays a significant role in children's learning about values from both their own and other cultures. Key Words: Dilge GÜNEY, Literature, Children's Literature, Mythology, Children's Literature and Mythology.