Old Body In New Clothes: Indonesian Folktales In Children’s Books

Abstract

Folktales have significant position in children’s books publishing in Indonesia. Folktales for children as part of children’s books genres significantly emerge along with other kinds of children’s books. It is generally perceived that folktales retain valuable cultural and moral values which need to be preserved and passed down from generation to generation. This paper presents an overview of Indonesian folktales published as children’s books. Whilst confirming the booming of publishing folktales for children in the period after reformasi, the article also reveals the unawareness of publishers on the selection of folktales stories presented in children’s books. This paper contributes to the discussion of readapting traditional literature in children’s books.