TRANSFORMING YOUNG READERS INTO CHANGE MAKERS: THE POWER OF CHILDREN'S LITERATURE IN PROMOTING SOCIAL ENTREPRENEURSHIP

Abstract

Children’s literature has the potential to shape the minds of children in powerful ways in their lives choosing to educate and influence them in desired ways like educating on social awareness and entrepreneurship. This paper examines how storybooks for children are used as a force for social change, and particularly foster social awareness and encourage social entrepreneurship in the young readers. This study assesses the potential of children's literature to encourage social change and entrepreneurship, through a content analysis of selected children's books that address social issues like inequality, environmentally, and poverty, and interviews of young readers. We find that well-crafted storybooks allow children to engage with social issues, and further foster a sense of responsibility and agency. By using children’s literature to nurture socially responsible citizens, I make recommendations to integrate social entrepreneurship concepts into early education to build young social entrepreneurs.