Religious contents in picture books intended for preschool children

Slikovnica je prvi čitaći didaktički materijal djeteta. Važna je za djetetovo stvaranje pojma o svijetu, ali i razvoj prečitalačkih vještina. Da bi dijete shvaćalo poruku koju prenosi slikovnica, ali i kako bi zavoljelo čitanje, vrlo je važna funkcija zabave. Dijete čitanje treba shvatiti kao igru. Potrebno je u obzir uzeti djetetove individualne karakteristike te područja njegova zanimanja. U slikovnicama su obrađene razne teme, a posebnu vrstu čine slikovnice s religijskim sadržajem. Iako ne toliko zastupljene, vrlo su važne za vjerski odgoj djeteta. Obrađuju teme utemeljene na biblijskim pričama, ali i na inspirativnim životima svetaca. Zadnjih se godina bilježi trend rasta slikovnica s religijskim sadržajem. Progovaraju o temama poput smrti i patnje na djeci razumljiv način. U djeci pokušavaju pobuditi osjećaj spokoja i bezuvjetne ljubavi. Pomažu djeci stvoriti vlastitu sliku o Bogu bez utjecaja roditelja ili odgojitelja. Na taj način djeca sama stvaraju vlastiti odnos s Bogom koji se oslikava na odnos prema sebi i drugima. Poneki autori idu „korak dalje“ pa djeci približavaju teme koje čine podlogu za kasnije razumijevanje Teologije tijela. Osim programa vjerskog odgoja, postoje vjerski vrtići čiji se rad zasniva na cjelokupnom djetetovu razvoju utemeljenom na katoličkoj vjeri. Na početku rada objašnjene su glavne karakteristike slikovnice uz dijaloško čitanje i povijesni pregled slikovnice u svijetu i Hrvatskoj. Dalje su navedeni neki primjeri slikovnica s religijskim i djelomično religijskim sadržajem. Ukratko je opisan Program katoličkog vjerskog odgoja djece predškolske dobi te važnost slikovnica u promicanju kršćanskih doktrina. Objašnjen je utjecaj slikovnica s religijskim sadržajem za djecu vrtićke dobi te njene prednosti i nedostatci.A picture book is a child's first reading didactic material. It is important for the child's understanding of the world, but also for the development of reading skills. In order for the child to understand the message conveyed by the picture book, but also for him to love reading, the fun function is very important. A child should understand reading as a game. It is necessary to take into account the child's individual characteristics and his area of interest. Various topics are covered in picture books. Picture books with religious content are a special type. Although they are not so common, they are very important for the religious upbringing of a child. They deal with topics based on biblical stories, but also on the inspiring lives of saints. In recent years, there has been a growing trend of picture books with religious content. They talk about topics like death and suffering in a way children can understand. They try to instill in children a sense of tranquility and unconditional love. They help children create their own image of God without the influence of parents or educators. In this way, children themselves create their own relationship with God, which is reflected in their relationship with themselves and others. Some authors go "one step further" and bring children closer to topics that form the basis for a later understanding of Theology of the Body. In addition to the religious education program, there are religious kindergartens whose work is based on the child's overall development based on the Catholic faith. At the beginning of the thesis, the main characteristics of the picture book are explained along with a dialogic reading and a historical overview of the picture book in the world and in Croatia. Furthermore, some examples of picture books with religious and partially religious content are mentioned. It briefly describes the program of Catholic religious education for preschool children as well as the importance of imagery in promoting Christian doctrines. The influence of picture books with religious content for children of kindergarten age and its advantages and disadvantages is explained