Blogpost by Sophie Schollenberger and Radmila Mladenova The portrayal of Sinti and Roma in Corinna C. Poetter's children's book “Jukli”. A critical examination
“Jukli oder wie ich einen kleinen Esel an der Backe hatte und nicht mehr loswurde” (Jukli, or How I Got Stuck with a Little Donkey and Couldn't Get Rid of It) is a children's book by German author Corinna C. Poetter, which addresses the themes of “family, friendship, and identity” (publisher's description). The target audience for the book, first published in 2022, are children aged 11 and above. It tells the story of Flora, an outsider who struggles to fit in at school and has a rather tense relationship with her two older brothers. One day, she meets Mamou, an elderly Romani woman, and befriends her (and her donkeys, Cocotte and Jukli). Flora now visits Mamou regularly and learns about her and her family's history. Jukli, the donkey foal, is to be entered in the stud book at a donkey festival in France – for which Mamou plans a trip with the donkeys. But Cocotte dies, Mamou suffers from a severe weakness and is hospitalized for several days, and Flora is asked to take her place and make the journey with Jukli (and the help of Mamou's family). She sets off for France, where she meets various relatives of Mamou and finally makes it to the donkey festival just in time.
But how does the book deal with the portrayal of Romani people in terms of culture and history, social positioning and the appearance of individuals? Are stereotypes reinforced, or are stereotypical expectations broken down and overcome?
