Illustrated book design on the vegetable consumption habits of 5-6 year old children

Writing and illustrating illustrated story books in order to help preschool children acquire the habit of consuming vegetables is the general subject of this thesis. While dealing with this subject, the horse figure, which is one of the most important elements of Turkish mythology, was chosen as the main hero of the book. Preschool is a period in one's later life where the main gain is achieved. Increasing the healthy and balanced nutrition habits of children in this period is very important for growth and development. Vegetable consumption is one of the important habits of a healthy and balanced diet. As a result of research, it has been revealed that this habit is shaped in childhood. The individual who has gained the habit of eating will be a healthy adult, protected from diseases that may arise as a result of inadequate and unbalanced nutrition. Since this individual will be effective on the eating habits of the next generation, it will be a positive example and a conscious guide for the next generation. One of the most important elements for the individual to be healthy is a healthy diet. According to the preschool education program published by the Ministry of National Education in 2013, it was stated that one of the basic principles of preschool education is to provide the child with motor development, socialization and emotional development. A Child in poor health; cannot increase their motor, social and emotional, language and cognitive development to the desired level. A child who does not eat healthy is also deficient in being creative. The ability to think critically cannot develop either. This situation causes the child to be unable to produce new information. A child who does not eat healthy or cannot be fed adequately will be behind in thought-based activities and skills, so he cannot fully express his critical thoughts. Children aged 5-6 identify with the heroes in the stories. They imitate the behavior of heroes. Therefore, picture story books play a great role in the education of children of this age group. Thanks to these books, positive behaviors can occur in children. Most of the time, children are able to connect with the characters in fairy tales and not only correct themselves financially and spiritually, but also improve their families and even society. From this point of view, children's fairy tales are a literary format in which messages of social renewal are delivered. Tulpar, the hero of this study, is also a fairy-tale hero and the heroes in fairy tales can have a positive effect on children. Thus, it is thought that positive behaviors will occur in children in healthy eating and vegetable consumption, which is emphasized in this book. In this study, face-to-face and online interviews were provided with three nutritionists, three child development specialists, five story experts and four expert designers. As a result of these interviews, a story text was created to support the education of vegetable consumption habits and balanced nutrition in children aged 5-6 years, and then illustrations were made to support this text. While doing these, mythological, imaginary and visual elements were used. Thus, a storybook was created for the above-mentioned purpose, supported by illustrations. This book can be viewed as a product of children's literature. Thanks to the pictures in the book, the concepts can become more perceptible and comprehensible in the child's mind. The behaviors of the heroes of the book can contribute to the formation of positive behaviors in the child by modeling. Thanks to this book, it is thought that the habit of consuming vegetables that will support the balanced diet of children will increase.