Anthropomorphism as an art of storytelling: Exploring Aesthetics and Ethical Implications in Children’s Literature

Animals are extremely important to children’s books. Among other narrative functions, animals serve as essential metaphors for understanding the human animal. They provide emotional comfort, stimulate imagination, and offer a safe space for exploring complex themes, all of which contribute to children's emotional and cognitive development. Beyond their psychological appeal, animal characters in children's literature also offer significant educational value. This paper explores the aesthetics and ethical implications of anthropomorphism in Children’s Literature. Anthropomorphism is transmitted in kids through storytelling and then in the form of print media. It enhances the cognitive skills in children. The concept can be used in many ways to inculcate moral lessons in children. It teaches how to look at life. Kids learn to deal with their emotions. The paper analyses the stories of Panchatantra and Aesop’s Fables and the concept of Anthropomorphism and how it is used in children’s stories to understand and give a persona to the creatures who live alongside humans.