Literatura infantil afro-brasileira: uma análise da disponibilidade e uso nas escolas públicas de Caicó-RN

Abstract

This research investigates the presence and use of Afro-Brazilian children's literature in public schools in Caicó-RN, focusing on its contribution to children’s identity formation. The study aims to map Afro-Brazilian children’s books in school collections and understand how these works are presented to students in the early years of elementary school. The research employed a mixed quantitative and qualitative approach, combining documentary analysis of the collections in 12 schools with interviews conducted with 21 teachers. Theoretically, it draws on studies in children’s literature, especially Afro-Brazilian children's literature, emphasizing its importance in identity building and promoting anti-racist education. The results reveal a limited and uneven presence of Afro-Brazilian children's books in school collections, with a concentration in only a few institutions. Additionally, the interviews indicate that Afro-Brazilian literature is approached sporadically, mainly during Black Awareness Day, with little methodological diversity in its application. The research concludes that there is an urgent need for public policies to expand the collection of Afro-Brazilian children's books and for teacher training to ensure the effective implementation of Law 10.639/03.