Brazilian fauna portrayed in children's literature: instrument for scientific communication

Author(s)

Graziele Aparecida de Moraes Scalfi

• Document type: Master's Dissertation
• Press: Campinas, SP.
• Institution: Universidade Estadual de Campinas (UNICAMP). Instituto de Estudos da Linguagem
• Defense date: 2014-08-28

Examining board members

Germana Fernandes Barata; Norma Sandra de Almeida Ferreira; Maria das Graças Conde Caldas

• Advisor: Germana Fernandes Barata

Abstract

The main objective of this study is to analyze children's books as a tool for scientific communication, especially the books with the potential to promote Brazilian fauna, and make a contraposition to the book Mami o quê? - an interactive children's title on Brazilian mammals, through a reception study with children from 3 to 6 years old, of Unicamp Center for Child Living (CECI). It is believed that, when properly structured, children's books can be great allies in the dissemination of science and they can earlier sensitize the public on the topic, favoring science popularization and the consolidation of a scientific culture in society. Reading is an invitation for the child think and ask new questions, so a book of science communication for children should not be a treatise on a scientific theme or a book study. The child should not feel obligated to read, but captivated to. Additionally, Brazil is among the countries with the greatest biodiversity on planet, and yet the native fauna and flora are little known by the Brazilian population. One of the contributing factors to this scenario is the influence that media exerts in placement of cartoons, movies, games and children's books, which often highlight the large African mammals. In this scenario, the children¿s books show to be an effective tool to assist in communication, presentation and introduction, since childhood, to the importance of what is genuinely Brazilian to, perhaps, awaken to the importance of preserving these species. With qualitative approach, the research used content analysis (BARDIN, 2011) in the selection of books carried out to verify the strategies adopted by authors to disseminate the knowledge of animal science and evaluate the used language, content and image, in the light of science. With a solid theoretical framework about children's literature as a tool for the dissemination of science, it was possible to evaluate the book Mami o quê? through activities related to the theme and with the copy inserted in the daily of children, as well as through the opinion of parents and teachers, with the questionnaires as instrument. This research concludes that children's literature can be combined with the dissemination of science, but is needed the multiplication of books with this purpose. When the topic is Brazilian animals, yet there are few books that use scientific publication to approach the issue for children. In this context, the book Mami o quê? has the potential to promote Brazilian fauna, attracting the interest of children, through different practices. The book will not be able to supply the lack of material on the subject or resolve the issue of disclosure of the national fauna. But, can contribute to strengthen initiatives in the area.. It is believed that efforts are still needed to produce activities that disseminate the Brazilian fauna, through different strategies, such as books, movies, cartoons and games. The Brazilian fauna needs to be "discovered" to be respected, valued and conserved (AU)

• FAPESP's process: 12/08727-4 - Brazilian fauna portrayed in children's literature: a tool for science communication
• Grantee: Graziele Aparecida de Moraes Scalfi
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Master