Comparison of Turkish and German fairy tales in terms of values and character education

The aim of this study is to identify the values intended to be conveyed in Zaman Zaman İçinde, a fairy tale book by Pertev Naili Boratav, who holds a significant place in the field of children's literature, and in the Grimm's Fairy Tales compiled by the Brothers Grimm, and to reveal the importance of these tales in terms of values education. Additionally, the study aims to evaluate the potential of these tales to shape children's lives and to examine the contributions of the tales in these two works to children's character education, thereby uncovering the relationships between them. In this context, 22 tales from Zaman Zaman İçinde, written by Pertev Naili Boratav and published by İmge Publishing in 2023, and 22 tales from Grimm's Fairy Tales, written by the Brothers Grimm and published by Koridor Publishing in 2023, were analyzed. The research was conducted using qualitative research methods, including content analysis and literature review. To facilitate the study, the values within these 44 tales were identified and coded. The study is structured in six chapters. First, the scientific steps of the research were outlined. In the second chapter, key concepts and related definitions were provided. The third chapter addressed the research methodology. The fourth chapter offered background information on the lives, literary identities, and major works of Pertev Naili Boratav and the Brothers Grimm. In the fifth chapter, summaries of the tales were presented, followed by excerpts categorized under specific value headings. The collected data and values were visualized through tables to enhance clarity. The contributions of the analyzed tales to values and character education were supported with direct quotations from the texts. Finally, the sixth chapter presented conclusions and recommendations regarding the applicability and significance of the research. As a result of the analysis, 19 common values were identified in the 22 tales selected from each of the books Zaman Zaman İçinde and Grimm's Fairy Tales. These values are: justice, courage, diligence, solidarity, friendship, honesty, self-sacrifice (altruism), strength, kindness, determination, compassion, hospitality, patience, loyalty, love, responsibility, keeping promises, fidelity, and helpfulness. The findings revealed whether these books can be utilized as effective tools for values education. Moreover, the impact of the values expressed in the tales on children's character development was also discussed in detail.