Out of all the media that today’s children encounter, what makes a particular TV character a child’s favorite? Based on 80 case studies, in-depth fan studies and standardized surveys with over 5,000 children between the ages six and twelve in Germany, this book elucidates how girls and boys use TV characters in their everyday lives and their identity work.

Maya Götz, Dr. phil., is Head of the International Central Institute for Youth and Educational Television (IZI) in Munich and of the PRIX JEUNESSE Foundation.