The article explores processes of religious othering in children’s literature. By analysing Andrea Liebers’s and Susanne Göhlich’s Das Schulschwein and Bärbel Manaar Drechsler’s and Linni Lind’s Der kleine Hassan, the contribution examines how narratives construct and represent images of the self and the other. Both works focus on cultural encounters in Germany, with differing perspectives: Das Schulschwein adopts a non-religious, German viewpoint, while Der kleine Hassan reflects a Muslim perspective. Despite their intent to promote coexistence, the analysis reveals that these narratives reinforce stereotypes and establish distinctions rather than fostering mutual understanding. Key themes include the intersection of religion with identity markers such as nationality, gender, and age. The findings indicate that while both books aim to bridge cultural divides, they inadvertently perpetuate processes of othering through narrative choices and representational practices. This highlights the challenges of depicting religious diversity without resorting to simplistic di chotomies or stereotypes. The study calls for a more reflective and nuanced approach to portraying alterity in children’s media, emphasising the importance of (visual) representation.
Maria Lucenti (Wed,) studied this question.