The Routledge Companion to Children’s Literature is a vibrant and authoritative exploration of children’s literature in all its manifestations. It features a series of essays written by expert contributors who provide an illuminating examination of why children’s literature is the way it is. Topics covered include:
the history and development of children's literature various theoretical approaches used to explore the texts, including narratological methods questions of gender and sexuality along with issues of race and ethnicity realism and fantasy as two prevailing modes of story-telling picture books, comics and graphic novels as well as ‘young adult’ fiction and the ‘crossover’ novel media adaptations and neglected areas of children’s literature.

The Routledge Companion to Children’s Literature contains suggestions for further reading throughout plus a helpful timeline and a substantial glossary of key terms and names, both established and more cutting-edge. This is a comprehensive and up-to-date guide to an increasingly complex and popular discipline.

Reviews

'A comprehensive exploration of children's literature that will be a valuable addition to any English teacher's bookshelf. Subjects include the history and development of children's books, theoretical approaches to texts, realism and fantasy, issues of gender, sexuality, race and ethnicity, young-adult fiction, the crossover novel, and comics and graphic novels. It also features suggestions for further reading and a glossary of key terms and names.'

Times Educational Supplement Magazine

Author Bio

David Rudd is Professor of Children's Literature at the University of Bolton, UK. He was on the awarding panel for the Children's Laureate 2007 and his books include A Communication Studies Approach to Children’s Literature (1992) and Enid Blyton and the Mystery of Children's Literature (2000).