An analysis of children's illustrated books in the Rami Library according to character and values education and the child's perspective

The study aimed to demonstrate the significant impact of quality children's books, prepared with children's interests, needs, and developmental characteristics in the process of character and values education. The study was conducted in two stages. Therefore, the qualitative research methods of document review and thematic content analysis were used together. In the first phase, the preschool picture books in the Rami Library were individually analyzed in terms of character and values education. Their imprint, illustrations, internal and external structural features, and character and values education perspectives were examined. The research population consisted of 2,536 preschool books belonging to the Rami Children's Library. The study's principles were determined by a review of 250 books selected through a thorough evaluation process. The books were selected and analyzed using the "Picture Storybook Evaluation Scale" and the "Picture Children's Books in Terms of Character and Value Education Examining Form," developed by the researcher. The second phase of the study consisted of preschool children aged 4-6, selected from the Eyüpsultan region using convenience sampling. Three books were first read to the children, and the books were evaluated using semi-structured interview questions regarding the characters, the children's preferences, the values in the books, and the characters' character traits. The children's responses were then coded and analyzed. The study concluded that the books examined were suitable for use in character and values education in the preschool period. Furthermore, an analysis of the children's evaluations of the books revealed that they recognized and expressed the values contained in the book, the character traits of the characters, and the themes within. This suggests that carefully written and illustrated picture books are clearly understood and appreciated by preschool children.