Depicting death for children – analysing how death is portrayed in stylistic different ways in children’s picture books

作者：Fredrik Jeppsson, Linda Lattik Ekvall, Kristina Danielsson, Tünde Puskás, Anita Andersson · 发表于：Scandinavian Journal of Educational Research · 年份：2025 · DOI：10.1080/00313831.2025.2516436 · 被引用次数：1

ABSTRACT Using children’s literature in different formats is a well-established pedagogical approach for discussing existential questions with young children. This study analyses two books: Goodbye, Mr. Muffin and The Visit from Little Death. The linguistic and visual analyses shed light on the narrative structures, participant roles, and various semiotic elements in these books. A strong contrast in contextual meaning emerges when comparing the two. In Goodbye, Mr. Muffin, death is depicted as a natural part of the life cycle, harmoniously intertwined with nature’s beauty, using warm colours and evoking emotions of tenderness. In contrast, The Visit from Little Death portrays death as a more direct and personal presence, employing indexical and iconic signs to evoke a sense of mystery and the unknown. This study contributes to understanding the complex dynamics of using children’s literature to navigate sensitive topics in early childhood education.