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Paper short abstract

This paper explores narrative strategies for adapting traumatic war experiences for сhildren audiences, fostering simultaneously responsibility for nature’s protection alongside patriotism, empathy, love for the motherland, and humanistic values.

Paper long abstract

The Russian war against Ukraine is accompanied by violence against nature and ecocide. Yet an important question arises: how can we tell children about this violence against nature? This paper examines various narrative strategies that enable the adaptation of the traumatic war experience for young audiences, while also cultivating their sense of responsibility for protecting the natural environment.

The first example is related to the use of fairy tales. As a case study, an Estonian project is presented in which the author writes and illustrates stories about war and nature, depicting the interaction of Ukrainian soldiers with animals and the natural world on the front line. This format can serve both therapeutic purposes and educational practices that nurture values of kindness, compassion, humanism, and care for the environment. Moreover, it portrays Ukrainian soldiers as heroes and defenders in a broader sense—not only of Ukrainian land and people but also of its environment and wildlife.

The second mode of representation is connected with visual narratives - animation. The paper analyzes a children’s cartoon about a Patron dog, which illustrates how wartime realities, concern for nature, and issues of safety during the war can be transformed into images and narrations accessible to children.

Thus, the paper demonstrates how stories about war and violence against nature can be adapted for young audiences, becoming not only a means of overcoming traumatic experience but also a tool for fostering patriotism, love for the motherland, empathy, humanistic values, and ecological awareness.