This is an introduction to the work of 19 contemporary English-language writers for children. It consists of critical essays on the works of Joan Aiken, L. M. Boston, H. F. Brinsmead, John Christopher, Helen Cresswell, Meindert DeJong, Eleanor Estes, Paula Fox, Leon Garfield, Alan Garner, Madeleine L'Engle, William Mayne, Andre Norton, Scott…

This study was based on the idea that a structural analysis of picture storybooks might offer implications for the use of structural criticism in the teaching of children's literature. One hundred picture storybooks were analyzed inductively for certain basic components of plot structure which were termed actions. The analysis of the books…

Assesses the effects on children's attitudes of books which portray the elderly. Findings indicate that the stereotypic and negative images of the elderly which predominate in children's literature tend to misinform and prejudice young readers about the role of the elderly in our society. An annotated bibliography of 66 children's books is…

Discusses books for Nigerian children that deal with the common dilemma of whether to send a village child to boarding school to receive a Western education. Shows which books have stereotypical characterizations and which deal with more natural settings, characters, and issues. (SKC)

Suggests that Natalie Babbitt's "Tuck Everlasting" narrows the gap between "untroubled, sterile" children's literature and adult literature by avoiding simple dichotomies while presenting life as a complex mixture of good and evil, containing perplexing moral dilemmas. (JC)

Reexamines Maurice Sendak's first children's book, published in 1956. Finds it to be filled with the characters, themes, and psychological concerns that were to become hallmarks of the writer-artist's mature works. (NKA)

Contains lengthy reviews of new and reissued books in different reading categories, including poetry, myth, and science. (CRH)

Challenges the influence of Shel Silverstein's "The Giving Tree": the way it is being viewed, used, misused, understood, and misunderstood by parents, teachers, librarians, and children. (HOD)

Notes that Nigerian children's literature, long neglected, is beginning to receive its due scholarly attention. Summarizes its characteristics and cites popular examples. (FL)

Jessica and Elizabeth are two female characters, twins, featured throughout Francine Pascal's Sweet Valley series, the Bantam Publishers popular series for girls from elementary school through junior high, high school, university, and well into adulthood. This paper notes that these books are a part of the same formula that are used for romance…

A study used three Newbery books--"The Voyages of Dr. Doolittle (Lofting, 1922), "Charlotte's Web" (White, 1952), and "Maniac Magee" (Spinelli, 1990)--to examine three female characters identified in these books in the role of rescuer, accentuating their commonalities and differences within Jungian and feminist theory in…

Argues that black literature must achieve three essential criteria if it is to be of value to black children: black literature must completely nullify the deceptive influences that prevent black children from finding self-esteem; black literature must convey realism; and, black literature must be authentic. (Author/JM)

Discusses adult selection of books for children, including reevaluating old favorites and keeping in touch with current children's literature. Includes an annotated list of books of current interest to children and adolescents. (HTH)

Presents the responses of three fifth-grade students to two current children's novels to show how popular literature and personal response can provide teachers with insights about the literary understanding of their students. (HTH)

Children in third grade were queried for their reactions following the teacher's reading of "Pippi Longstocking." (HOD)