Pemanfaatan Aspek Budaya untuk Menceritakan Warisan Tradisional dalam Bentuk Buku Cerita Anak

Abstract

Traditional heritage is an important part of cultural identity passed down between generations through cultural practices, knowledge, and expressions. However, in the era of globalization, understanding and appreciation of local culture tend to decline, especially among the younger generation, necessitating cultural introduction media that are more relevant to children's experiences. This study aims to analyze how cultural aspects are utilized in illustrated children's storybooks to depict and introduce Indonesian traditional heritage. The study used a descriptive qualitative method with a visual analysis approach and content analysis of three illustrated children's storybooks purposively selected based on the cultural representations displayed in the illustrations and narratives. The results show that utilizing cultural aspects through illustrations and narratives helps children understand traditional heritage more concretely and contextually. Forms of traditional heritage found include traditional culinary arts, traditional clothing, traditional houses, crafts, and regional arts. Illustrations also play a role in strengthening the reading experience and supporting the process of cultural introduction from an early age. The analysis shows that cultural representations in the three books are constructed through a combination of visual elements that mutually support the narrative, thereby strengthening the delivery of cultural meaning to child readers. These findings indicate that visual communication strategies play a role in building an educational reading experience while strengthening the process of cultural literacy. The novelty of this research lies in the identification of the form of utilization of cultural aspects in children's illustrated storybooks as a strategy for introducing traditional heritage, which can be a reference in developing children's cultural literacy media.