This document provides an overview of children's literature. It defines children's literature as imaginative works shaped for children that may provide aesthetic experiences or reconstruct past experiences. While few books were originally made for children, today children's literature reflects children's lives and points of view in a generally optimistic and simplistic manner compared to adult literature. Characteristics include illustrations, repetition, focus on action over subtle psychology, and tendency toward fantasy and education.

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.