Introduction to Children's Literature

Definition

• Children's Literature: Not simply books for children; definitions vary.
• Definition by Lynch-Brown and Colleagues: Good quality trade books for children from birth to adolescence, covering topics of interest.
• Two main aspects are examined:
  • Content: Diverse topics, childhood experiences both good and bad, appropriate storytelling manner.
  • Quality: Originality, imaginative use of language, literary and artistic style.

Aspects of Children's Literature

Content

• Topics are diverse and of interest to children.
• Stories reflect childhood experiences, leading to personal realizations.
• Appropriate storytelling is forthright, humorous, or suspenseful.
• Inappropriate storytelling is overly sentimental.

Quality

• Originality and importance of ideas.
• Imaginative use of language and artistic style.
• Permanent value and memorable characters.
• Critique of low-quality books driven by merchandise.

Value of Children's Literature

Personal Value

• Enjoyment: Primary personal gain, leading to a lifetime of reading.
• Imagination and Inspiration: Encourages divergent thinking, overcoming obstacles, accepting different perspectives.
• Knowledge and Insights: Offers both factual knowledge and wisdom, convincing storytelling offers personal experiences.
• Understanding and Empathy: Appreciating universality of human needs, developing social justice and empathy.
• Heritage and Cultural Identity: Stories connect to past, cultural roots, and human condition.
• Moral Reasoning: Characters make moral decisions, aiding young readers in understanding right and wrong.
• Literary and Artistic Preferences: Develops personal preferences and motivates reading.

Academic Value

• Reading and Writing: Improvement through practice, exposure to rich vocabulary and writing styles.
• Content Area Subjects: Literature across curriculum, used in teaching social studies, history, science, etc.
• Art Appreciation: Illustration in picture books aids storytelling and serves as art.

Development of Children's Literature

Historical Development

• Early books were religious or moralistic.
• Newbery Books: 18th-century English publisher John Newbery published entertaining books for children.
• Charles Dodgson (Lewis Carroll): Published "Alice's Adventures in Wonderland", considered the first modern children's literature.
• 19th-century books were primarily entertaining, sometimes moralistic.

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