Parents Perspectives on Content, Illustrations, and Educational Values in Early Childood Storybooks
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.54180/jiies.2026.1.2.534-566Keywords:
children's storybooks, parents perspectives, illustrations, educational values, early childhoodAbstract
Storybooks are often described as a child's earliest window into the world of values, language, and imagination. This study examines how parents evaluate three core dimensions of early childhood storybooks: story content, illustrations, and educational value. Employing a descriptive qualitative approach through in-depth interviews with three mothers in Banda Aceh, this research explores how emotional, aesthetic, and educational considerations shape parents' book-selection decisions. The findings reveal that parents consistently favor stories written in simple, relatable language that feature positive role models. They also expect illustrations to be visually engaging and well-synchronized with the narrative not merely decorative. Equally important, parents regard educational values such as honesty, empathy, good manners, and religious teachings as essential components of quality storybooks. Overall, parents view all three dimensions as inseparable aspects of a meaningful literacy experience for young children. This article recommends that authors, illustrators, and publishers strive for a thoughtful balance between entertainment and educational content, and consider involving parents in the book development process to better align with children's developmental needs.
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