Ozone Layer Depletion in Children's Books Available in Greece: examining accuracy in the representation of causes of ozone layer depletion in texts

This article discusses the content accuracy in the representation of causes of ozone layer depletion in children's books. The current study analyzed a total of nine trade books, storybooks and dual-purpose books about ozone layer depletion focused on a target audience of preschool and primary school-aged children in Greece. A qualitative content analysis of the texts was performed following the principles of inductive category development. Four main causes of ozone layer depletion were identified among seven texts of the children's books: (1) Exhaust gases and/or smoke emissions, (2) Chemicals, (3) Anthropogenic air pollution, and (4) The Greenhouse Effect. The results showed that the causes presented in the texts did not always conform with the scientific consensus view. Educators, authors, publishers, and parents could acknowledge such misrepresentations to improve the scientific accuracy of the content and turn children's books into learning opportunities.