Ensinando sobre a diferença na literatura para crianças: Paratextos, discurso científico e discurso multicultural

Abstract

Our starting point is the ubiquity of children's literature in the pedagogical scenery and the assumption that paratexts (verbal fragments accompanying the main text) which appear in the literature are important guides for its reading, exercising a pedagogical function. We also consider that the contemporary subject (difference) has made inroads into children's literature. In this context, our study aims to analyse how these paratexts teach and seek to influence conducts and attitudes with relation to difference. Paratexts from 21 recent titles were analysed and two discourses were explored in them: the multicultural and scientific-informative discourses. We conclude that arguments used to inform, persuade and catch the attention of the reader intertwine the above-mentioned discourses. Determined forms of speech of the different subjects are elaborated in the paratexts, in tune with authors' and editors' preoccupation to engage in a certain education for difference.