PONI MONI LETI U SVEMIR – MOTIV ZVEZDA I SVEMIRA U DIDAKTIČKOJ LITERATURI I KNJIŽEVNOSTI ZA DECU

Abstract

In this paper, we deal with the analysis of stars and space motifs in didactic literature and children’s literature. The paper has three objectives. The first goal is to determine the status of stars and space motifs in didactic literature for preschool children from commercial publishers. The second goal is the analysis of the subgenre of picture books related to the traveling of animals in space, using the example of four selected stories. The third goal is the creation of a practical workshop model for preschool children. We found that stars, as a symbol of imagination and dreams, serve as a basis for different types of graphomotor exercises, as well as exercises related to the development of scientific literacy and hand-eye coordination. This motif is also used in the subgenre of picture books related to an animal’s journey into space. The genre has a stable structure, which does not differ much in the selected corpus, and aims to develop imagination and creativity in children. The picture book Laika Among the Stars is a significant departure, which is also a therapeutic book in which stars and light carry the symbolism of death. The analysis conducted was the basis for creating an author’s workshop intended for preschool children, which is presented in the last part of the work.