Green Narratives in the Indonesian Context: Exploring Ecological Issues and Adaptation Strategies in the Children’s Book

https://doi.org/10.19105/ojbs.v19i2.20657
Abstract views: 41 , PDF downloads: 49
Keywords: children's literature, child reader levels, ecocriticism, environmental issues, literary ecology

Abstract

Children’s literature serves as an effective medium for instilling various ideologies, including ecological awareness, in young readers. This study analyzes the representation of ecological issues in the children’s book Pilus Rumput Laut untuk Rasi (2022). It evaluates its suitability for children’s literature, considering its adherence to children’s literature characteristics and the challenges of adapting complex topics. Using a qualitative approach with ecocritical content analysis, grounded in Glotfelty and Fromm’s (1996) theoretical framework, this study identifies five main issues: local climate change, mining-induced damage, plastic pollution, environmental justice, and ecocentrism. The results indicate that the book effectively adapts complex issues through simple language, action-based narratives, a focus on hope, and strong visuals, aligning well with characteristics of intermediate-level children’s literature (Jenjang Semenjana). However, criticisms include the potential for oversimplification of complex structural environmental justice issues and the risk of eliciting anxiety or controversy. This research contributes to filling gaps in studies on environmental issue representation within Indonesian socio-cultural contexts, the effectiveness of visual/narrative messages, and the handling of emotional dimensions in children’s literature.

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Author Biographies

Reza Sukma Nugraha, Arabic Literature Department, Faculty of Cultural Sciences, Universitas Sebelas Maret, Surakarta 57126,

REZA SUKMA NUGRAHA is a Lecturer at the Department of Arabic Literature, Universitas Sebelas Maret. His research focuses on literature, specifically children’s literature and cultural studies.

Gun Gun Gunawan, Arabic Islamic & Middle Eastern Studies, University of Leeds, Leeds LS2

GUN GUN GUNAWAN is a researcher in Arabic, Islamic, and Middle Eastern Studies at the University of Leeds, United Kingdom. His primary research interests lie in cultural studies, with a particular focus on the Middle East.

Eva Farhah, Arabic Literature Department, Faculty of Cultural Sciences, Universitas Sebelas Maret, Surakarta 57126

EVA FARHAH is an Associate Professor at the Department of Arabic Literature, Universitas Sebelas Maret. Her research interests lie in Arabic literature, particularly modern Arabic literary studies.

Khabibi Muhammad Luthfi, Arabic Literature Department, Faculty of Cultural Sciences, Universitas Sebelas Maret, Surakarta 57126

KHABIBI MUHAMMAD LUTHFI is a Lecturer at the Department of Arabic Literature, Universitas Sebelas Maret. His area of expertise includes Arabic language and literature, with a specific focus on modern Arabic linguistics.

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Published
2025-11-30
How to Cite
Nugraha, R. S., Gunawan, G. G., Farhah, E., & Luthfi, K. M. (2025). Green Narratives in the Indonesian Context: Exploring Ecological Issues and Adaptation Strategies in the Children’s Book. OKARA: Jurnal Bahasa Dan Sastra, 19(2), 219–238. https://doi.org/10.19105/ojbs.v19i2.20657
Issue
Vol. 19 No. 2 (2025): OKARA: Jurnal Bahasa dan Sastra (In Progress)
Section
Articles

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