Picturebooks and politics: Israeli children’s picturebooks during the shift from pre-state to statehood
Picturebooks and politics: Israeli children’s picturebooks during the shift from pre-state to statehood

Summary/Abstract: Cultures vary according to the level of political potency they attribute to their young readers. Some ascribe to their children the ability to experience political solidarity and are eager to offer them literature accordingly. Other cultures try to exempt children from taking any public interest and shield them within the home and family, distant from what is regarded as the aggressive public arena. In rare cultural and social conditions shifts from one attitude to another regarding children’s political potency can be quite extreme. This article points to a dramatic change in the nature of politicization of Hebrew children’s picture books, which took place in the decade following the establishment of the State of Israel in 1948. This period saw a rapid transition from the former overt politicization of children’s literature to a striking and active avoidance of political content. During the first decade of Israeli statehood children’s picture books decisively disencumbered the children of their former active political tasks, thus implementing a new politics of a civic society in a sovereign state.

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