Asserts that Sunday School magazines are significant in the history of children's reading because they were the most easily accessible literature for children in many English-speaking countries during the nineteenth century. Examines content and themes in two such magazines, "The Children's Friend" and "The Child's Companion and…

States that finding a critical language in which to speak about children's fantasy texts is not as straightforward as might first appear. Discusses ideas held by T. Todorov and J.R.R. Tolkien. Argues that fantasy is a metaphorical mode, and details an anatomy of children's fantasy. Concludes that children's fantasy can be described as a body of…

Discusses sexism in the work of Enid Blyton's series "The Famous Five." Defines sexism as a process rather than a thing, which draws its energy from relations of power. Analyzes the texts to provide support for this thesis. Concludes that Blyton's books are not sexist, rather they explore sexism in a way to which children can relate. (PA)

Discusses "Little Daylight," an original fairy tale that lies within George MacDonald's children's book "At the Back of the North Wind." Shows how the tale encapsulates some of MacDonald's key philosophical concepts, and subverts numerous expectations a reader may bring to the fairy-tale genre. (SR)

Identifies and discusses some recurring characteristics of the wise/witch woman (one of the most interesting stock figures in recent fantasy writing for preadolescent readers) in three recent books. Finds a richly varied portrayal of these powerful women. (SR)

Discusses the image of the abandoned child in literature, with special attention to "Hansel and Gretel." Reviews critical commentary on this tale. Compares and evaluates four contemporary illustrated versions of the tale, especially considering the illustrations as text. (HB)

Offers a contemporary view of J. M. Barrie's life and his classic story, "Peter Pan." Suggests that "Peter Pan" does not really speak for today's children and that the time for Peter Pan's retirement has come. (PRA)

Relates the kinds of reading done in childhood by a now distinguished writer, Robert Westall. Describes specifically how Jack London's novel, "White Fang," influenced the development of this writer. Narrates and comments on the action of the novel. (HB)

Discusses the points of comparison between cooking and writing, between books and food, as they relate to creative writing. Describes how recipe ingredients lists, cooking methods, menus, leftovers, and food presentation all relate to writing. (HB)

Claims that although the Harry Potter stories--with their old-fashioned plots, settings, and characterizations--entertain richly, they rarely provoke, question, or inform. Suggests other contemporary writers who are pushing forward are equally exciting. (NH)

In this article, it is shown how authors of fairy tale retellings have incorporated ideas of feminist literary criticism into a fictional form. As such, these retellings display the tension between the pedagogic and aesthetic aspects of all children's literature. Jane Yolen's "Sleeping Ugly" is chosen as a case study: although it can be argued…

An enumerated, selected, 2,480-item bibliography of publications and records on Spanish culture and literature with prices is offered primarily for school and library use. Subject entry in this work is alphabetical in each of the major divisions. Broadly grouped classifications include: (1) fiction, (2) essays, (3) individual author collections,…

Examines the role of "The Horn Book Magazine" in reviewing and promoting children's literature in the past 50 years. (RB)

A critique of Mother Goose Nursery Rhymes for their focusing on concepts of white supremacy, negative self-images, and unreal depictions of life. Examples are given of nursery rhymes written by black people for black children. (EH)