The role and importance of emotional literacy in the context of problematic and problem-oriented children's literatureBlažič, Milena (Avtor) Zollner, Hans (Avtor) emotional literacysocial literacyethical literary studiesfairy tale justiceproblem-orientedproblematicchild sexual abuseThis study explores the importance of emotional and social literacy in the portrayal of sensitive issues in children's literature, with a particular focus on the motif of child sexual abuse. The following researchquestions were identified as particularly important: First, in what ways do such literary texts contribute to the development of empathy and ethical reflection? Second, to what extent do these texts place the child at the center of the narrative? Third, do verbal and visual elements support or hinder emotional awareness? The study is based on the literary analysis of selected picture books with traumatic content, including The Tale of the Waterman (O povodnem možu), The Little Doll and Giant (Punčka in velikan), Kiko and the Hand (Kiko in roka), the Sad Book, Red Apple (Rdeča jabolka), and Blue (Azul). The literature that does not place the child at the center of the narrative runs the risk of losing its pedagogical and ethical credibility. The article argues that there is a connection between literary aesthetics and ethical responsibility and develops a holistic pedagogical model for emotional and social competence.20252025-12-19 12:54:26Članek v reviji177289UDK: 82-93ISSN pri članku: 1857-8187DOI: 10.58885/ijllis.v14i4.63hzCOBISS_ID: 261837827slPodatek o licenci CC-BY 4.0 je naveden na pristajalni strani članka (glej izvorni URL zgoraj). (Datum opombe: 19. 12. 2025)