CURRENT TRENDS IN CHILDREN’S BOOK DESIGN: FROM CLASSICAL ILLUSTRATION TO DIGITAL INTERACTIVITY (BASED ON «THE WIZARD OF OZ»)

Abstract

The article examines current trends in the design of children’s books within both the global and Ukrainian contexts. It analyzes the evolution of visual design in children’s literature, from traditional printed illustrations to interactive digital formats that shape new ways for children to perceive text. Special attention is paid to L. Frank Baum’s The Wonderful Wizard of Oz as a classic work that has been repeatedly reissued and received various design interpretations. The study analyzes Ukrainian and foreign editions of this work, identifying their strengths and weaknesses in terms of artistic solutions, color palettes, stylistic unity, and correspondence to the reader’s age characteristics. Drawing on the Ukrainian market of this work’s editions, the article explores key transformations in design approaches: the use of original graphics, color palettes, stylistic unity, and the implementation of multimedia and interactive elements. The research relies on a comparative analysis of modern Ukrainian editions with exhibition or digital counterparts abroad, considering the age characteristics of the target audience and the demands of the contemporary market. Methods include content analysis, comparative design analysis, and empirical data from surveys of parents and children regarding the visual preferences of modern readers. The results reveal that the updated design of a children’s book should be based on a balance between preserving classic imagery and introducing innovative multimedia and interactive solutions. The paper outlines the key principles of effective redesign: adapting color and stylistic solutions, creating illustrations that stimulate imagination and emotional engagement, and using digital technologies to integrate additional educational or game content. The practical significance of the research lies in substantiating design strategies for developing children’s book editions that can enhance children’s reading activity, strengthen family traditions of shared reading, and ensure the actualization of cultural heritage preservation through modern visual forms. The article opens up prospects for the further development of interactive linguistic and visual formats in children’s literature publications and interdisciplinary research at the intersection of design, pedagogy, and media communications in the field of children’s book publishing.