Notes that diverse characters in children's literature have been used for many years to introduce children to a variety of cultures. Explains that using characters in literature is also a strategy that is available to introduce children in a classroom to their peers who have disabilities. Explores how such books can be analyzed and what educators…

Documents the author's interpretation of Frances Hodgson Burnett's "The Secret Garden." Explores a series of questions dealing with issues such as sight, speech, power, gender construction, and symbolism. Reveals the positive and potent ways women subvert the hegemony of patriarchal society and the celebration of the divine feminine within "The…

Considers how in the fantasy series "The Chronicles of Narnia" and "His Dark Materials," by C.S. Lewis and Philip Pullman respectively, the authors use symbols and themes from "Paradise Lost." Notes that each author's narrative choice uses his view of cosmic order to persuade readers that obedience should be understood as central to coming of age.…

Challenges two assumptions: that children are naturally disposed toward the animated cartoon, and that translating Shakespeare's plays into this medium automatically simplifies and gives them child appeal. Examines the confusions and cross-purposes that surrounded the making of the "Animated Tales" videos, and argues that there are dangers in…

Discusses two children's picture books: "Smoky Night" and "The House that Crack Built." Notes that the books deal with the Los Angeles riots and the use and distribution of crack cocaine. Concludes that each book treats important issues with sensitivity and honesty and is engaging, even when dealing with controversial topics in a didactic…

Considers poetry for children by the late Ted Hughes, British Poet Laureate. Examines it in its own terms as poetry and in terms of its intended audience. Suggests his poetry was an attempt to create a body of work that remained true to his gift of "caging" the minute within real and imaginary worlds. (SR)

Addresses the issue of child sexual abuse, providing contextual information about the problem, such as the fact that in 85-95% of cases, the offender is known to and trusted by the victim. Discusses positive and negative influences of general children's literature noting that children are greatly influenced by situations depicted in books. Focuses…

Considers how lift-the-flap books attract very little critical attention. Attempts to redress this imbalance by suggesting that lift-the-flap books provide useful lessons in reading both literature and pictures for the young reader, that a grammar of lift-the-flap books can be postulated to facilitate their description and discussion, and that the…

Discusses connecting with the Middle Ages in adolescent fiction. Discusses how, in "The Owl Service," Garner addresses a relationship between adolescence in the late twentieth century and an aspect of the past--specifically the Middle Ages. Considers how "The Owl Service" is a story energized by myth, concerning the participation of successive…

Discusses the integration of photographs and text in fictional works specifically regarding Garry Disher's "Bamboo Flute." Introduces the story and explores questions in detail regarding the presentation of its photographs in American publications. Attempts to make the readers become aware of alternative reading strategies that expand schemata and…

Considers the role of visual literacy in the reading experience. Discusses an assumption among readers, publishers, and many educators that the visual elements in a text may be safely ignored, marginalized, or simply edited out. Argues for the important role of visual arts in literature. (SC)

Investigates the possible role of children's literature in the education of adult learners of English. Shows that children's literature can be effective in teaching linguistic skills such as pronunciation practice and improving language acquisition. Notes that using and reading children's literature is an initial step to developing literary…

Discusses a small group of picture books that display two of Quentin Blake's great strengths: (1) the inventiveness of his concept and design; and (2) the representation of his own view that a children's book can be a place where adults and children meet on equal footing. (NH)

Suggests that focusing on paradigms of work--the way it is described, together with the thematic implications it embodies--can be useful in teaching literature to young adults. Examines how examples from literature illustrate Erik H. Erikson's paradigm of the psychosocial stages of development in late childhood and adolescence. (MM)

Discusses in detail 10 books selected as the best children's poetry published in the 1980s, as well as 6 others receiving honorable mention. Appends a suggested reading list of 21 picture books, 53 single-author collections, and 25 anthologies. (SR)