Children's literature encompasses books, stories, folklore and poems that are simplified for children to enjoy. It contains simpler vocabulary and expressions of ideas than adult literature. There are many genres of traditional literature and fiction for children, as well as non-fiction books. Over time, children's literature has evolved from religious texts and adaptations of adult works to creative original stories and books reflecting diverse populations and experiences. Today, children's literature continues to grow while addressing children's interests through various mediums and genres.
Children's literature encompasses books, stories, folklore and poems that are simplified for children to enjoy. It contains simpler vocabulary and expressions of ideas than adult literature. There are many genres of traditional literature and fiction for children, as well as non-fiction books. Over time, children's literature has evolved from religious texts and adaptations of adult works to creative original stories and books reflecting diverse populations and experiences. Today, children's literature continues to grow while addressing children's interests through various mediums and genres.
Children's literature encompasses books, stories, folklore and poems that are simplified for children to enjoy. It contains simpler vocabulary and expressions of ideas than adult literature. There are many genres of traditional literature and fiction for children, as well as non-fiction books. Over time, children's literature has evolved from religious texts and adaptations of adult works to creative original stories and books reflecting diverse populations and experiences. Today, children's literature continues to grow while addressing children's interests through various mediums and genres.
Children's literature encompasses books, stories, folklore and poems that are simplified for children to enjoy. It contains simpler vocabulary and expressions of ideas than adult literature. There are many genres of traditional literature and fiction for children, as well as non-fiction books. Over time, children's literature has evolved from religious texts and adaptations of adult works to creative original stories and books reflecting diverse populations and experiences. Today, children's literature continues to grow while addressing children's interests through various mediums and genres.
- Books, stories, folklore, riddles, poems; more than just a story What differentiates children and adult literature? - Childrens literature contains simple vocabulary and simpler expression of ideas. - Children find pleasure in jokes, rhymes, cartoons, comics, etc. - Adults tend to stick to one type of literature. Genres of Traditional Literature - Myths - Fables - Folk songs - Legends - Fairytales - Tall Tales Genres of Childrens Literature - Concept books - Alphabet books - Counting book - Pattern picture books - Wordless picture books Genres of Fiction - Fantasy - Animal fantasy - Contemporary fiction - Historical fiction - Science fiction Book format refers to the way a book is put together or looks. - Wordless picture books - Easy to read - Illustrated - Chapter books - Hard cover - Paperback - Series Early Beginnings - Alfred the Great (849-399 AD), Kind of England drove back the invasion of the Danes. - Anglo-Saxon: name given to distinguish the barbarian settlers of Britain, the English Saxons, from their kindred still on the continent. Generally used to define the period in England b/w the collapse of Roman power c.410 and the Norman Conquest of 1066, and applied to artifacts- Anglo-Saxon pottery, metalwork, houses, etc. - Until 1350, children in monastery schools had to read and speak Latin in and out of school. - Anselm (1033-1109 AD), the Archbishop of Canterbury, wrote the first encyclopedia for children. The Middle English Period - In 1066, William the Conqueror and his Norman French knights invaded and won England. They were the Anglo-Saxons, who gave England its name (Angel Land). - French words were introduced into English because it was the language of the nobility - Children of nobility continued to receive instruction in manners and morals of the period. - This period lasted until the invention of the printing press by Gutenberg in 1456 in Germany and the coming of the Renaissance. - First book published was The Bible. - William Caxton was the creator of the first English printer in 1476. His first publication was Aesops Fables. The Renaissance - Books were too expensive to be used by children, so the Hornbook was created for them about 1550. It was the first permanent book. - The Royal Primer had a letter of alphabet followed by a familiar verse. This primer sold 5 million copies during the hundred years it was used as a text book for younger children. Puritan Times - In the 1600s in England and America, childrens book were rather gloomy; they reflected the Puritan outlook. Books for children were either reprints of English publications or local writings that were even dreamer. - First important illustrated book for children was written by John Amos. The 1700s - John Newberry was a writer, publisher, and bookseller of St. Pauls Church, London. He published a series of books for children. - Newbery printed chapbooks, cheap little paper editions, which were sold on the streets by chapmen or peddlers. It contained ballads and folktales. - Newbery also published translations from the French: - Tales of Mother Goose by Charles Perrault - Its also believed that Perrault wrote Blue Beard The three witches sleeping beauty puss in boots and red riding hood - Madame de Beaumont, a lady in the kings court, wrote Beauty and the Beast The Early 1800s - Childrens literature became more creative. - Charles and Mary Lamb (brother and sister) wrote to give children pleasure. They worked together to write a childrens version of Shakespeares plays. - Jane and Ann Taylor wrote poems for children. - Kate Greenaway did illustrations. - Jane wrote Twinkle, twinkle little star. And Then - Jacob Ludwig and Wilhelm Carl Grimm traveled around Germany, talking to people and collecting folk stories. - Hans Christian Anderson, wrote modern fairy tales, because Anderson actually created them and copied old ways of telling stories. o Anderson wrote Little Mermaid, Ugly Duckling, and Emperors New Clothes. - In 1919 McMillan launched a publishing department. Books slowly began to change; it would reflect diversity, and include literature from different cultures. At the end of 20th century - By the 1990s things had improved, but slowly in the number of books published yearly specifically for and about diverse populations. - Depiction of genders in non-traditional roles had improved significantly. Today - Literature for young people continues to grow and evolve. - More books are devoted to diverse populations, nontraditional roles - Much more nonfiction is available - Interesting mixture of genres - Content addresses childrens hopes, fears, dreams, experiences, and interests - Great imagination & creativity in artwork Today and the Future - No one knows for sure but there are trends - Effects of technology, computer games, cinematic conversion of books to film, e-readers - Changing families, professions, world environment