Books for children are one of the most important tools that expand their imagination, develop their language skills, and support their learning processes. However, a child picking up a book and starting to read does not depend solely on the power of the story. The outward appearance of the book, namely its graphic design, largely determines the child's initial interaction with and interest in the book. The master's thesis prepared by Tuba Kılıç in 2014 aims to examine storybooks for primary school students in terms of graphic design elements. Taking the stories of Nasreddin Hodja and Keloğlan as examples, this thesis deeply analyzes the impact of design on children.

The study examined the role of visual elements such as the cover design, illustrations, colors used, and typography (fonts) of storybooks on children's reading habits and cognitive development. The research concluded that the most determinant factors for children in choosing a book are aesthetic and age-appropriate covers, along with illustrations that reflect the content and arouse curiosity. The vibrancy and harmony of colors, as well as the legibility and large size of the fonts, are also important factors that increase children's motivation to read.

The thesis reveals that reinterpreting traditional characters such as Keloğlan and Nasreddin Hodja with a modern graphic design approach makes these characters much more attractive to today's children. This is a strong indicator of how effective a bridge visual communication can be in transferring cultural heritage to new generations. The fact that design develops children's visual literacy skills and aesthetic tastes is also one of the important issues highlighted by this study.

The results of this research serve as a guide for publishers, authors, and illustrators working in the field of children's publishing. It is emphasized that when designing books for children, one must master not only the text content but also the language of the visual world. Books that are suitable for children's age and developmental levels, encourage their creativity, and support their visual perception will make their love of reading permanent. Therefore, it is strongly recommended that parents and educators consider the visual quality of the book when choosing books for their children.

We thank Tuba Kılıç for this important and valuable study. You can access the full thesis via www.tez.yok.gov.tr using the code 381597.