The purpose of this thesis is to discuss the motif of dreams in contemporary Slovene children’s fiction.
The theoretical part discusses two terms: children’s fiction and dreams. In the scope of children’s fiction, the focus is the definitions, theories, and open questions regarding the target audience. Furthermore, the concept of picture book is discussed and the importance of interaction between text and illustration is identified. The basis for the research is the book by Maria Nikolajeva The Magic Code: The Use of Magical Patterns in Fantasy for Children. The main character is presented, and his transition from real to unreal world as well as his influence on both worlds is discussed. In the scope of dreams, the focus is the symbolic meaning of dreams and its interpretation. In the first empirical part, eight selected fiction books written by Slovene authors of children’s literature that include the motif of dreams are presented. These works are verbally and visually analysed, and comparative analysis is made. Literary analysis is presented in tables with categories essential for the understanding of the motif of dreams. Specific categories from the first empirical part are analysed in the second empirical part as well; this second part discusses twenty contemporary short fairy tale picture books. The picture books with the motif of dreams were written by the pupils of the third grade elementary school. The research on the motif of dreams is important for understanding the motif of dreams in Slovene children’s fiction, and for the use of literary works with the motif of dreams in elementary school.
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