Analysis of vocabulary in Fadime Uslu's children's books in the context of the basic principles of children's literature

This study aims to examine two children's books written by contemporary Turkish author Fadime Uslu Sokağın Kuyruğu, Çat Kapı Dayım and Kaçak Kahramanlar within the context of the fundamental principles of children's literature, external and internal structural elements, and vocabulary richness. The primary objective of this research is to identify the educational, linguistic, and aesthetic values reflected in Uslu's narratives, and to assess their contributions to children's language development, cognitive skills, and literary appreciation. The study is based on a qualitative research approach and utilizes the descriptive analysis method. The selected books were purchased and examined firsthand, and data were collected directly from the texts. This field-based, text-centered approach allowed for a detailed exploration of the literary and linguistic features of the works. The texts were analyzed in terms of both external structure (title, cover design, illustrations, font size, formatting) and internal structure (plot, characters, setting, time, narrator, theme, and narrative style). The findings indicate that the books are visually and linguistically designed to appeal to young readers. The narratives are centered on children, and the settings reflect familiar environments such as homes, schools, gardens, and neighborhoods. The characters are relatable, and the plot development follows a logical and age-appropriate progression. A significant focus of this study is on the vocabulary used in the texts. Elements such as repetitive words, idioms, reduplications, formulaic expressions, and terms are examined in detail and presented in tabular form. The analysis reveals that the author employs a rich yet accessible language, incorporating everyday expressions that resonate with children's experiences. Reduplications contribute to the rhythm and fluency of the narrative, while idioms and formulaic expressions bring naturalness and warmth to the dialogues. The presence of conceptual vocabulary related to school, family, emotions, and nature supports children's vocabulary and concept development. The study concludes that Fadime Uslu's works are in strong alignment with the core principles of children's literature. Her narratives effectively balance educational intent with artistic expression, offering children both meaningful content and enjoyable storytelling. From a linguistic perspective, the texts provide valuable opportunities for vocabulary enrichment and language development. This research not only highlights Uslu's significant contribution to contemporary Turkish children's literature but also presents a practical model for analyzing children's books through linguistic and literary lenses using descriptive analysis.