“Odd Does Not Want His Head to Crack”: Exploring a Literary Character with Children Aged 5–6

Abstract This Nordic case study investigates how children aged 5–6 make meaning of and interpret the main character in the picturebook Odd is an egg . Theoretically, the study is grounded in reception theory, emphasizing the dynamic interaction and transaction between the picture book, which is being read aloud, and children who are listening and viewing the iconotext. The case study was conducted in four educational settings in Norway and Sweden in spring 2025: two preschool groups with five-year-olds and two primary classrooms with six-year-olds. Data were collected from three reading events in each setting (12 in total). Data collection was collaboratively planned and implemented by four researchers. The empirical material consisted of audio recordings, which were analyzed using thematic analysis. The analysis revealed three key themes. First, the children interpreted and made meaning of the character Odd through interaction with the illustrations, focusing on his appearance and emotional state. Second, they expressed deeper reflections and questions about Odd’s situation. Third, they connected the story content to their own lived experiences in various ways. The findings highlight children’s capacity to interpret iconotexts within read-aloud practices and underscore the importance of intentional pedagogical choices in facilitating this process. Emphasizing picture books in literacy instruction not only supports language comprehension and future reading comprehension but also fosters positive reading socialization.