The History of Childresn Literature Essay

It surprised me at first that Contemporary Realistic Fiction is the most popular genre in children’s books. But after reading this it made more sense why contemporary realistic fiction is the most popular genre. It approaches the reality of children’s own lives. They can also connect to it so much easier than other genres.

In the modern world, children’s literature, fairy tales, and fiction books influence our childhood and early development. In the 1500’s and 1600’s no children’s literature for entertainment existed, they had educational books. As babies, toddlers, and preschoolers, my parents and teachers read us books after books. It is proven that reading to young kids is important for their imagination, vocabulary, and communication skills in early life.

Children before the seventeenth century shared narrative, whether oral or through chapbooks, with adults. The first widely distributed texts for children were by puritan writers; in the mid-eighteenth century books began to be produced commercially, usually with an

Literature teaches kids to feel empathetic for each other. A story allows the reader to put themselves in the character’s shoes and gives us a different perspective on the character’s life. It also shows the reader not to judge someone by their cover because you never know what outside factors are affecting them. For example, Daphne's book is about a shy girl named Daphne, commonly known to others as Daffy Duck. She was raised by an impoverished, mentally ill grandmother, so the other kids would make fun of her. Instead of sympathizing with her, kids pitied her and called her names. “These are the experiences for a young person in which the sort of commonplace

Children’s literature has existed for as long as there have been stories to be told to children. Stories, books, songs, poems are all made for children. Children’s literature does not have a definite definition of what it is; basically, it is anything a child reads (Lerer, 2008). Children begin to learn what reading and writing are used for before even knowing how the system works. Children recognise the function of written language by seeing examples of written language that are being used around them. Many children know the difference between reading and talking, they are aware that written language is used to do things in this world (Emitt, Zbaracki, Komesaroff and Pollock, 2015). Quintilian, John Locke, Saint Augustine and Doctor Seuss speculated on the ways children learn the Australian language and learn about their lives from literature (Lerer, 2008). In fact, Lerer states that “the history of children’s literature is inseparable from the history of childhood, for the child was made through texts and tales he/she studied, heard and told back,” (2008, p.1). Children’s literature nurtures an understanding of narrative structures and visual images played in storytelling, this helps develop

Nonfiction Children's Books: 3- 4th grade: Not only do these four children nonfiction books show resilience, but they also convey social injustice in the world.

Like the concept of childhood, children's literature is very much a cultural construct that continues to evolve over time. (Reference). The complexity and Rowling’s willingness to take on difficult and contemporary issues such as racism, genocide, classism, and difference – makes Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone uniquely valuable in developing a narrative. While both books can be regarded as controversial due to the moral fibre of them, The Catcher in the Rye, captures an adolescent protagonist wavering between childhood and adulthood.

Well-written and inspirational literature not only has the ability to carry a reader into another world but they are able to accomplish this feat while simultaneously delivering deep messages that surpass the written text. Children’s literature is sometimes overlooked in terms of reaching these standards and being considered worthy of critical analysis; this genre is often perceived as having juvenile storylines and concepts portrayed through simplistic language. However, the common writing styles in children’s literature, often being either illustrated books or picture-books, offer the genre with a unique opportunity to achieve deep themes and messages through the dynamic

Children read almanacs finding interest in the stories, weather forecasts, poetry, news events, and advice. Relying on England for literature. However only the wealthy could afford school books. John Newberry (an English writer) had a major impact on children with A Private Tutor for Little Masters and Misses written 1750 which taught children proper behaviour. The Pretty Book for Children was another book of Newberry’s written 1750 (a guide to the English language).

Today people think of books as everyday objects that are just around. However, back in the 13th and 14th century that was not the case. Books were hard to come by and showed that you had wealth and power. Many people did not have books and if they did they probably only had a few.

There are thousands upon thousands of books in libraries spread all around the world. Some of those books are newer than others; some are thicker; some are about history, geography, economics, or engineering. No matter the type of book, it took just a couple hours to print them. It is incredible to think how it is possible to have so many books available for us, and we can have access anytime we want. Although, many centuries ago books were very different from modern books. In fact, the earliest books were written on scrolls. In the Middle Age, books were produced by monks who copied them with pen and ink to study them later. Even a small book with just less than hundred pages could have taken several weeks or maybe months to be completed. A longer book, such as the Bible, could have taken years to copy. This tedious and exhausting process ended in 1444. In 1471 there were about 15 printing presses open. Mainly in the area of Germany because that was where Gutenberg invented the press. Also in the center of Italy because that’s where trade was made and the printing press was used by the pope and the church. [Doc.2] In 1500 over a 100 printing presses were being used mainly in Germany and in the center of Italy.[Doc. 2]

When I was younger my mom use to read me a children 's book every night at bedtime. I remember when I was in Junior Kindergarten she once read me a Disney classic book called “The Jungle Book” and after reading the book for months I had thought if the main character "Mowgli" could talk to animals so could I, that was until I went to the Toronto Zoo. I tried to talk to the Giraffe and the Giraffe wouldn 't talk back to me. I was baffled. That was the first time 3-year-old Monika could distinguish nonfiction to fiction. I never looked at a book the same. Children believe everything you tell them. Writers may be running out of material, But the content needs to be the reality. I also understand the writer 's point of view of running out of ideas, But children need to read real books.

Although many view children's fiction as suitable only to children, and an embarrassingly immature pursuit for a serious person, children' stories mold the way we think. They allows us to look at very complex and difficult issues in a safe and playful way, and they give us the freedom to imagine the unimaginable.

Young children are like sponges; they absorb information like a sponge absorbs water. It is essential for them to be emerged in an environment in which they can absorb positive information so that one day they can become contributing members of our society and have a better future. For this reason, there is a pronounced importance on providing enriching environments for children to learn and develop appropriately. One of the ways that this can be achieved is through a literacy rich environment specifically with the use of story reading and storytelling.

'In children 's literature the notion and construct of 'childhood ' became an influential force...it became associated with freedom...and play; focusing on educating children malleablly. '