Hidden Meanings: Researching Student-Teacher Intercultural Competency Using Multicultural Children's Literature

In modern society, future teachers need to be able recognize the potential offered by multicultural children's literature in promoting intercultural values children as well feel confident their ability choose authentic teaching materials. Three picture books (The Rabbits' Wedding, Morris Micklewhite, and Tangerine Dress And Tango Makes Three) one illustrated story Story of Little Black Sambo) were selected for research students’ competence. The general aim was competence Teacher Education students using works literature, whereby specific aims sought explore: a) attitudes about appropriateness topics lower elementary school teaching; b) whether text illustrations books/illustrated promote (e.g., acceptance diversity, equality, empathy); c) are trained controversial content story, d) student’ self-assessed readiness address e) difficulty recognizing representation story. sample participants included fifty-six fourth-year (40 from University Rijeka 16 Pula) during two consecutive academic years (2020/2021 2011/2022). filled out a questionnaire that examined concordance between titles promotion values, existence topics, addressing abilities implement explored. majority recognized nature three – implicit advocacy rights equality marginalized groups (same-sex adoption, depiction transgender people, marriage people different skin color). Almost two-thirds encountered difficulties assessing presence literary works.