While appearing innocent on the surface—with bright illustrations, rhyming texts, and animal characters—the content of many of these books is steeped in militarism, anti-Western sentiment, and leader worship. Analysts and defectors say they are carefully crafted to socialize children into a worldview where devotion to the state and hostility toward outsiders are paramount virtues.
Stories with a Political Core
Titles such as "Brave Little Sentry", "The Story of the American Wolf", and "Our Beloved Marshal" are commonly distributed in schools, nurseries, and homes across the country. These books emphasize obedience, sacrifice, and the idea that Kim Jong-un is a near-divine protector of the people.
“North Korean children’s literature does not separate politics from imagination,” said Dr. Hye-jin Lim, a scholar of North Korean education. “Even fairy tales carry a political message. The enemy is often American or South Korean. The hero is always someone who obeys the Party.”
In one widely circulated book, a child exposes a "traitor" hiding among village neighbors, earning praise from his teacher and a personal message from the Supreme Leader. In another, a group of forest animals fight off a foreign invader wearing a distinctly American-style helmet.
Indoctrination Begins Early
Education in North Korea begins as early as preschool, with children learning to read from state-sanctioned materials that blend basic literacy with propaganda. By age six, most children are familiar with revolutionary slogans and have memorized stories glorifying Kim Il-sung and Kim Jong-il.
“By the time they enter elementary school, children can recite entire passages praising the leadership,” said Ji-hoon Choi, a former North Korean teacher who defected in 2014. “They believe these stories are reality.”
Illustrations often depict smiling children carrying rifles, saluting the national flag, or crying tears of joy at the sight of Kim Jong-un. The visual language reinforces the written message: to be a good citizen, one must love the leader more than one’s own family.
The Role of Fear
Although the books are designed to inspire, they also instill fear. Characters who question authority or disobey orders are punished, exiled, or in some cases, vanish entirely from the story. The clear message: disloyalty brings ruin.
“There’s a strong undercurrent of fear in these books,” said Hyun-seo Park, a defector and author. “Even in fiction, there is no space for independent thought. Children learn early that dissent leads to disaster.”
Cultural Isolation
These books are part of a larger effort by the regime to shield children from outside influence. Foreign literature is banned, and access to South Korean or Western children’s content is strictly prohibited. Teachers and parents who are caught showing outside materials face harsh penalties.
“In North Korea, stories are not about wonder or imagination,” said Park. “They are about rules, obedience, and the survival of the regime.”
Conclusion
Far from mere entertainment, children’s books in North Korea function as foundational tools of state propaganda. By embedding ideological messaging into stories, songs, and pictures, the regime ensures that even its youngest citizens are shaped to view the world through a narrow, nationalistic lens. In a society where loyalty is life and deviation is danger, even a bedtime story carries the weight of politics.