engleski

The Visual Characteristics of Croatian Picture Books

The aim of the paper is to analyze the visual graphic elements present in children’s picture books in Croatia and to compare the results with the theoretical knowledge about the recommended and preferred visual aesthetics of children’s picture books. The methodology used was visual content analysis and the data for the analysis were validated in customized Web application. Based on previous research and visual element theories, various categories and properties were applied for the analysis. Research sample consisted of Croatian children’s picture books recommended by the Croatian Library Association. The sample consisted of 147 picture books analysed in the years 2009, 2010, 2015, 2019, divided in three groups: for children younger than 3 years of age, for children from 3 to 7 years of age written by Croatian authors, and for the children from 3 to 7 years of age written by foreign authors in Croatian translation. Research results showcase the visual characteristics present on the front covers of picture books and typographic elements on pages inside the picture books from the sample. The research data collected through the study contribute to the knowledge about the appropriateness of picture books recommen- ded by librarians in Croatia and reflect cultural characteristics concerning the way picture books visually communicate. In the future, these research results could be compared with other countries in Europe and potentially show different cultural characteristics.

graphic elements, children’s picture books, Croatia, visual content analysis

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