Examination of educational and artistic qualities of wordless picturebooks

Wordless picturebooks are one of the genre of children's literature, which is based on a visual expression, and which has no or very few words, except for the imprint and cover texts. This research was carried out with a sequential explanatory mixed design by first determining the educational qualities of all wordless books published in Turkey and then examining artistic qualities. Thus, this research has two aims. The first aim of the research is to examine the educational qualities of the wordless picturebooks which are published in Turkey between 2006 and 2022; and to reveal the works that are superior in this respect. The second aim is to reveal the artistic qualities which highlight the educational qualities which enable the creation of a holistic effect in wordless picturebooks. The research data were obtained by document analysis with the "educational qualities of wordless picturebooks" and "artistic qualities of wordless picturebooks" tools developed by the researcher. After the sequential data analysis of the quantitative and qualitative data, besides the quantitative findings reflecting the educational qualities, the qualitative findings of the artistic qualities highlighting these qualities were reached. The research results were presented respectively as quantitative and qualitative results, as consistent with the mixed method. In this study, the literature discussion based on local and worldwide research is included. Suggestions were made for publishers, illustrators, specialists working with children, teachers, psychological counselors and other mental health professionals, researchers, librarians, families and book lovers.