Page - 91 - in JRFM - Journal Religion Film Media, Volume 04/01

Representations of Religion and Culture in Children’s Literature | 91www.jrfm.eu 2018, 4/1, 81–99 sume that they are not known to the intended reader. Thus, for example, we read, “Aunt Martha hangs a bunch of flowers behind the corner seat. ‘Now it will protect us from illness’, she explains” (fig. 11).29 Those characters that represent own identities often visit the charac- ters that represent foreign identities on religious holidays to learn about traditions and rituals. Each narration informs the reader about particular dishes that are prepared and eaten in specific foreign countries. The authors compare traditional dishes with food the reader may know: “Family Wang eat Jiaozi at the spring festival. This is pasta filled with meat and vegetables like ravioli or Maultaschen.”30 The illustrations of tableware and cooking utensils along with the interior design represent material culture and visualise own and foreign identities. The objects depicted are often accompanied by religious symbols. Levent’s Turk- ish background is evident from the many postcards from Turkey, posters with football players wearing the shirts of the Turkish national team, a doormat with the inscription “Merhaba” and an alarm clock in the shape of a mosque. An im- age of the Basmala “بسم الله الرحمن الرحيم” (“In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful”) decorates his grandparents’ living room (fig. 12). 29 Pana 2016, n. pag. 30 Yu-Dembski 2016, n. pag., emphasis in original. Fig. 11: Customs and traditions in Pana/ Bandlow (illust.), Jana und Teresa feiern Himmelfahrt (n. pag.). Fig. 12: Representation of Muslim identities in Halberstam/Tust (illust.), Levent und das Zuckerfest (n. pag.) © Carlsen Verlag GmbH, Hamburg 2011.