הקריטריונים לבחירת ספרות ילדים במגזר החרדי - מתוך התמקדות בספרות לגיל הרך

This study examines the criteria that guide ultra-Orthodox literature writing, focusing on early childhood literature, and the criteria used to select children's books for a private library compared to a public library in the ultra-Orthodox sector. The research is qualitative, based on 23 interviews with parents (mothers and fathers) in the ultra-Orthodox sector, two depth interviews with an ultra-Orthodox library manager, and a review and analysis of the texts and illustrations of 28 ultra-Orthodox books, most of them designed for early childhood (up to age 5) written by ultra-Orthodox writers and published by ultra-Orthodox publishers. Empirically, this study focuses on a relatively new phenomenon in the ultra-Orthodox world and offers a preliminary perspective on the ultra-Orthodox society's decision to create its own separatist literature, where they can choose the contents, adapt and monitor the ethical values and messages of the texts. From a practical point of view, this study provides a platform to analyze the criteria used by ultra-Orthodox parents' in selecting their children's literature. From these criteria, it is able to isolate the values that are considered appropriate and attention-worthy in ultra-Orthodox education. The study findings suggest that book quality is a major criterion for selecting children's reading material. To become a part of a child's library, a book should have some added value such as literary language, information, or some educational message. Although the gender issue in the ultra-Orthodox sector is a clearly defined topic, it features less prominently in the actions and traits pre-school book heroes. Many issues such as working mothers and second marriages, have been only recently addressed in contemporary ultra-Orthodox literature.