Children's Lit

[Mieneke Pallada]

No: HPFGUIDX 29461

Hello,

Cindy C. wrote:

David wrote:

> I have not previously entered this debate for two reasons.  First, 
I 
> think that much of it is about definitions.  Is childrens' 
literature 
> something which *only* children will enjoy? something written 
> *mainly* for children? Something which, whoever it is written for, 
is 
> *accessible* to children?  


As for the correct definition of "children's literature," I think 
this is a tough question. 

****
As an English Lit student I looked up the proper definition in my Lexicon and it's: 
"Literary texts (a) explicitly written for children and/or adolescents or (b) texts approved of by adults as highly suitable for young readers. In this case, the image the adult has of that particular youth will influence the content and form of the children's literature in a strong manner." 

Sorry if the English is a bit stilted, but I couldn't find my English Lexicon so I had to translate from my Dutch version. 
****

<snip a lot of very interesting comments>

Finally, let me ask this.  Is there "good" children's fiction in 
which children are not the stars?  The children's fiction I have read 
that comes to mind features children as the protagonist, although 
there are often adult characters as well.  Charlie and the Chocolate 
Factory.  Island of the Blue Dolphin.  Everything by Beverly Cleary.  
Is there "good" adult fiction in which children are the protagonist?

****
One of my all time favorite books is Black Beauty by Anna Sewell, which is definitely a children's book, but has a horse as protagonist. In Dutch children's literature there are several great books which don't feature a child protagonist. And in Holland, books such as 'Uncle Tom's Cabin', 'Robinson Crusoe' and 'Gullivers' Travels' are also classed as children's lit. though IIRC they don't feature children at all.
The only 'good' adult fiction in which there is a child protagonist throughout I can think of, is a French book I had to read in high school called 'La vie devant soi', which is about a little orphan boy and his foster mom.
****
Just wondering.

Cindy

Cheers,
Mieneke



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