The Presence Of A Father In Shaping Child Happiness In A Children's Story Book Titled "Pulang" By Sketch Ultra Pelangi

Suci Wulandari

Authors

Suci Wulandari UIN Prof. K.H. Saifuddin Zuhri Purwokerto

Keywords:

father presence, children’s literature, pulang, child happiness

Abstract

This study aims to reveal how the representation of the presence of fathers in the children's story book Pulang by Sketsa Ultra Pelangi forms a picture of child happiness. The method used is descriptive qualitative with content analysis techniques against text and illustrations on pages 1–24 of the book. The analysis focused on three forms of father's presence, namely physical, emotional, and educational presence. The results of the study show that the father in Pulang is described as an active, warm, and supportive figure. His physical presence is a source of security for the child, his emotional presence creates a healthy attachment according to Bowlby's attachment theory, while his educational presence reflects the role of the activation relationship as described by Paquette, where the father provides space for the child to explore the world with a happy curiosity. Through a combination of narrative and soft illustration colors, Pulang presents a representation of a father who is not only a protector, but also a companion to the child's growth and development. These findings confirm that children's literature has the potential to be an important medium in strengthening awareness of the emotional role of fathers in shaping early childhood happiness.

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