A comprehensive and global exploration of children’s literature criticism
A Companion to Children’s Literature comprises thirty-four insightful essays written by prominent scholars in the field that surface critical debates within children’s literature criticism. This collection offers an introduction to and an intervention in the field, providing readers , whether established scholars, emerging scholars, or students, with rich new facets.
This Companion includes chapters examining poetry, folklore, fiction, nonfiction, picture books, dramatic performances on stage and screen, and interactive and digital media. The essays range from historical overviews to up-to-the-moment critical theory about English-language books from all over the globe.
A Companion to Children’s Literature also includes:
- A thorough introduction to early works in children’s literature, including the beginnings of fiction and folklore for children, as well as a discussion of the child-centered universe of nineteenth-century children’s nonfiction
- Comprehensive explorations of 20th century developments in children’s literature, including those in fiction and picture books, Walt Disney’s fairytales, and Saturday morning cartoons
- Practical discussions of contemporary trends and texts, including children’s information books, postmodern fairytales, and theatre and plays for young audiences
- In-depth examinations of ways to read children’s literature, including social justice lenses on works from the global south and the place of Black critical theory in children’s literary analysis
Perfect for scholars and students of children’s literature, education, and youth librarianship, A Companion to Children’s Literature will also earn a place in the libraries of early-career scholars and more advanced researchers who are interested in new methodologies and textual forms in the field.