“…TO SEE THE WORLD LIKE A CHILD”: ROMAN ZAVADOVYCH AS A RESEARCHER OF CHILDREN’S LITERATURE

Abstract

The article examines the role of the concept of literature for children and youth in the views of the writer R. Zavadovych. Based on his memoir texts and publications, the study emphasizes the significance of Ukrainocentric factors, psychological and pedagogical aspects, as well as the role of children’s literature in the development of emotional intelligence. The relevance of the article “The Command of the Moment” (1948) is highlighted, particularly its focus on the importance of literature for children and young people in the camp conditions of the Ukrainian diaspora. It is emphasized that the publication “Problems of Children’s Literature” (1949) has a multifaceted purpose: to highlight the main stages in the development of literature for children and youth, to clarify important methodological issues that often require a synthetic approach, and to focus on pressing contemporary problems. Special attention is drawn to the fact that R. Zavadovych first examined the folkloric origins of children’s and youth literature, traced changing views of the child and their spiritual needs in Western Europe, outlined the cultural and historical patterns of the development of children’s literature worldwide, and emphasized the richness of genres, as well as the importance of illustration and music. The study demonstrates that the author devoted particular attention to the differences in the perception of literary works by adults and children, taking into account age-related psychological characteristics essential for shaping reading practices. Zavadovych’s conclusion that a book for children and youth constitutes one of the moral and spiritual foundations of a nation is underscored. The analysis of the second part of the article highlights the retrospective perspective on the stages of development of Ukrainian children’s and youth literature, from the mid-nineteenth century to the diaspora period. The researcher’s vision of such issues as the importance of children’s periodicals, the role of illustrations in children’s books, the tasks of musical works for children, and the significance of literary criticism is examined. It is emphasized that R. Zavadovych paid particular attention to the role of the Ukrainian children’s book in the diaspora and to the publishing activities of the “Association of Workers of Children’s Literature”. The methodological character of the article “The Future Belongs to Children” (1965) is accentuated. The development of Bohdan Lepkyi’s idea that children’s and youth literature shapes the future reader of adult literature is noted. Zavadovych’s requirements concerning the professional qualities of a writer for children are outlined, including a deep understanding of a child’s worldview and psychology, the use of artistic forms and means organic to the child, and an exceptional responsibility for content.