1. Children’s Literature
Presented by
Prof. T. Méndez
ENGL 3440
Children’s Literature in English

2. Children’s Literature Defined
• Definitions vary from culture to culture, from
critic to critic, and from reader to reader.
• The imaginative shaping of life thought into
the forms and structures of language
(Huck’s 2007).
• Children’s literature may be considered an
aesthetic experience; a reconstruction of past
experience, an extension of experience, or the
creation of a new experience.

3. What is Children’s Literature?
• Before the nineteenth century very few
books were geared toward a children’s
audience.
• Children read books for adults, taking what
they could understand from them.
• Today, children continue to read adult books
but the reverse is not unheard of.

4. What is Children’s Literature?
• Books about children may not necessarily
be for them.
• Just because a book has a child
protagonist does not mean it is intended
for children.
• Children’s literature has changed
throughout the years in accordance to
continuing changes in society.

5. Characteristics of Children’s
Literature
• Children’s literature is often less frank than adult
literature.
• Contemporary children’s literature reflect the problems of
today. (Such as the ones they read about in newspapers,
see on television or live at home).
• The content is usually simplistic and straightforward
without certain emotional and psychological responses.
• It is about childhood.

6. Characteristics of Children’s
Literature
• It reflects the emotions and experiences of
children today.
• It will express a child's point of view
• It is optimistic.
 Hope is a vital dimension of a children’s book.
• It will often contain illustrations, especially in
younger children’s books.

7. Characteristics of Children’s
Literature
• It tends to be repetitious.
• Does not contain adult themes and is “child appropriate”
 This can be problematic at times. There is a
difference in opinion on “what is appropriate for
children.
• Children’s books often focus on action
 Subtle psychological events are often implied
through narration and comment on actions.

8. Characteristics of Children’s
Literature
• Children’s literature tends toward fantasy.
• Is didactic:
• Educational
• Will have happy endings, but not
necessarily the norm.