"Listen to the World". Musical Themes in Children's Literature as a Space for Knowledge Integration

Abstract

The authors of this article analyse contemporary children’s books containing a musical theme. Selected books were examined to determine their educational potential in promoting children’s ability to integrate associative knowledge of music. The following research questions were formulated: can the content and form of the studied works initiate the integration of children’s knowledge? What types of literary editing approaches promote knowledge integration? The study demonstrated that the analysed books can inspire educators to promote identity-building and the development of self-awareness, self-esteem, self-efficacy, and socio-cultural identity in children. They can provide students with the necessary tools for discovering their identity and true potential, becoming independent thinkers, formulating and expressing personal beliefs, and – above all – integrating their knowledge.

Keywords

• children's literature
• integration of knowledge
• hermeneutic approach
• music in literature
• interconnectedness of the arts