Crosscurrents of Childrens
Literature: An Anthology of Texts and
Criticism
Literature
Does childrens literature portray the authentic perspectives of children, or
does it present the views of the adults who write, sell, and review the
books? How does it demonstrate the ways in which perceptions of
childhood have developed over the centuries? How are issues of
censorship and freedom of speech brought to light in childrens books?
Addressing these and many other issues, Crosscurrents of Childrens
Literature: An Anthology of Texts and Criticism is the only anthology of
classic and contemporary readings in childrens literature to combine
primary works with related critical essays. Organized thematically around
modern critical debates, the selections explore how childrens literature
integrates instruction and entertainment, oral and written traditions, realism
and fantasy, words and pictures, classics and adaptations, and

perspectives on childhood and adult life. Illuminating the rich diversity of
childrens literature studies, the book incorporates approaches from several
different fields including psychology, education, history, cultural studies,
and literary criticism. It spans a wide range of literary periods and genres,
balancing contemporary and historical texts, excerpts and longer
selections, traditional and nontraditional materials, and English and
translated works. The volume includes Native American and African
American writings and offers insights into a variety of cultural and ethnic
traditions. It is enhanced by introductory essays, illustrations, an alternate
table of contents organized by genre, a timeline, and a bibliography of
critical works. An Instructors Manual and a Website
(http://crosscurrentsoup.org) provide additional helpful resources.
Examining how literary forms and genres, diverse influences, and
evolving attitudes toward childhood have shaped the field of childrens
literature, Crosscurrents of Childrens Literature: An Anthology of Texts and
Criticism encourages students and other readers to challenge common
assumptions about children, childhood, and childrens books.
Personal Review: Crosscurrents of Childrens Literature: An
Anthology of Texts and Criticism
Stahl, J.D. Tina L. Hanlon and Elizabeth Keyser, ed. 2007. Crosscurrents
of children's literature: An anthology of texts and criticism. New York:
Oxford University Press. ISBN#9780195134933.
Crosscurrents of children's literature is a strong collection of essays and
criticism with supporting excerpts from primary sources bringing children's
literature to the forefront of literary studies. Focusing upon current
concerns and debates, the editors and contributing essayists explore and
discuss the various traditions of literature through the ages: instruction,
gender issues, values, entertainment, oral history, word, pictures, fantasy,
realism, censorship and perspectives.
Each section of the anthology presents an introductory essay followed by
primary sources of essays written by literary experts and children's
authors. Within the individual essays are excerpts of children's literature to
support the author's argument as well as stand alone short stories, poems,
and excerpts from well-known literature such as Hansel and Gretel,
Huckleberry Finn, and Charlotte's Web, to name a few. Each selection is
used to provide examples of the focus of each particular section, and each
section is then finalized with further recommended readings.
The first section of the anthology begins with a look at whether children's
literature seeks to entertain or teach, pulling primary sources, or essays,
from C. S. Lewis, Charles Perrault, Lewis Carroll, Gary Paulsen and more.
The editors and essayists discuss whether children's literature is created
as a desire to instruct or influence children while also seeking to entertain;
looking at the historical timeline from cautionary tales to the more satirical
cautionary tales found in much of today's children's literature. From the

discussions of the first section, the authors pull together essays for the
second section that begins to look at how children's literature is seen as
either the subjection of children or the subversion of adult authority.
Censorship comes to the forefront due in part to a perceived innocence of
children by adults as well as the adult perspectives of suitability. The third
section looks at the connection between the oral and written traditions in
literature: at the cultural patterns of life and traditions that make up the
foundations of children's literature as intertwined with purpose. The fourth
section deals with the oft challenged realm of fantasy as well as being
juxtaposed with realism. More importantly, the section looks at the
historical time line of how the definition for both of these genres has
changed, given time, events, traditions, and cultural changes. The
subsequent sections deal with gender issues, text, illustrations, satires,
spin-offs and adaptations, values, and censorship.
In each case the sections are packed with authoritative essays and
supportive text, creating an anthology of literary note.
The text itself has access features that support a reader's search for more
information with a strong selected bibliography on the history and criticism
of children's literature, a timeline of children's literature, credits, and index.
It is an excellent resource for a professional educator or collegiate student
who is looking to further his or her understanding of the varied history and
purposes for children's literature. The professional aspect of this collection
of literary criticism is outstanding and truly a volume of work that needs to
be a part of a professional collection within this field of study.
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