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The representation of disability in illustrated children’s books (Master thesis)

Παράσχου, Χρυσούλα/ Paraschou, Chrysoula

This current dissertation engages with disability which is a form of distinctness and its aim is to show both the ways in which disability is depicted in contemporary illustrated children’s books and the ideology held in those books concerning distinctness. Therefore, in order to answer the research questions of this project, nine contemporary illustrated children’s books have been analyzed. These books are both greek and foreign, which have been translated. They have been published by Greek publishing houses and they represent various and different approaches of disability. The content of these books is analyzed using the methodological tool of quality analysis and is focused on these analytic categories: the content of books, the plot of the story, how the story ends, the language, the narrative voice and the illustration they have. Through the analysis of these books we come to various and different approaches and ideas concerning the handling of disability both through verbal and visual elements. In addition, it is understood whether the ideology they have on this particular matter is direct and active or passive. Finally, through this analysis, it becomes evident to what extent children’s literature is encompassed with the notions and ideas held on this sensitive, social matter