Indigenous children's and youth literature

Abstract

This study examines the interactions between Indigenous children’s and youth literature and the teaching of environmental sciences, emphasizing the relevance of literary reading in the teaching and learning process from the perspective of building intercultural dialogues. This is a qualitative study, based on content and ecocritical analysis. The results showed the interrelationships between Indigenous narratives and environmental themes – culture, biodiversity, places, agriculture, conservation, myths, and legends –   reinforcing the importance of literary reading in the classroom, integrated with Indigenous knowledge and environmental sciences. Indigenous children’s and youth literature, when analyzed in the light of ecocriticism, proved to be a valuable resource for environmental reflections in the classroom. It can inspire students, awakening them to new ways of coexisting with humanity that value more ethical attitudes towards the diversity of worlds and knowledge.