A thematic analysis of faith-oriented children's books within the framework of the core principles of children's literature

The aim of this study is to examine 20 illustrated children's books based on Islamic belief in line with the fundamental elements that children's literature should possess. The research was conducted using the content analysis method, one of the qualitative research designs. Accordingly, books published between 2019 and 2023 and selected for early childhood were evaluated in terms of external structure, internal structure, and educational features. The books that constitute the data source of the study are as follows: İftar Tabağı, En Güzel Mavi, Annem İçin Teşekkür Ederim Allah'ım, Fasulye, Babamın Dükkânı, Kedi Müezza, Kudüs'ün Kuşları, Bir Kudüs Masalı, Üç Mescide Yolculuk, Yağmur Duası, Mutlu Cami, Allah Benimle, Keloğlan Namaz Peşinde, Unutulmuş Kitap, Hanne'nin Örtüleri, Çıtır Çıtır Bir Bayram Macerası, Minikler İçin Mescitlerimiz, Bu Deve Neden Kızdı, Kukla Misket Ballı Şifa, and Hoş Geldin Ramazan. As a result of the analysis, it was found that only 7 books (İftar Tabağı, En Güzel Mavi, Kudüs'ün Kuşları, Bir Kudüs Masalı, Mutlu Cami, Allah Benimle, Çıtır Çıtır Bir Bayram Macerası) largely conformed to children's literature criteria in terms of external structure, and only 5 books (İftar Tabağı, En Güzel Mavi, Kudüs'ün Kuşları, Bir Kudüs Masalı, Çıtır Çıtır Bir Bayram Macerası) in terms of internal structure. In contrast, 17 books (İftar Tabağı, En Güzel Mavi, Annem İçin Teşekkür Ederim Allah'ım, Fasulye, Babamın Dükkânı, Kedi Müezza, Kudüs'ün Kuşları, Bir Kudüs Masalı, Yağmur Duası, Mutlu Cami, Allah Benimle, Keloğlan Namaz Peşinde, Unutulmuş Kitap, Hanne'nin Örtüleri, Çıtır Çıtır Bir Bayram Macerası, Bu Deve Neden Kızdı, and Kukla Misket Ballı Şifa) were found to be sufficient in terms of educational features. The findings indicate that the number of high-quality faith-themed children's books that maintain integrity in both content and form is limited. In this regard, it is recommended that authors, illustrators, editors, and publishers work in collaboration to produce qualified children's books; that parents make more informed choices when selecting books; and that scientific research in this field be further encouraged