An Introduction to Children's Literature

Passionately enjoyed as much by the young as by adults, children's literature is a vital part of Western culture. Attracting increasing scholarly attention, its indelible influences on most people's psyche attest to its widespread importance. Well-known for his work in the field, Peter Hunt here offers a history of children's literature--primarily British, although including American and other works as well--along with an assessment of its literary, sociological, and pedagogical roles. In addition, Hunt looks at the uses to which children's literature is put, the claims that are made for it, and the difference between children's and adults' ways of reading.

Children's literature is a remarkable area of writing and a growing area of study. Its characters - Pooh Bear, the Wizard of Oz, the Famous Five, Peter Rabbit - are part of most people's psyche and have strong links to basic myth and archetypes. They arouse strong feelings, as demonstrated by recent debates over political correctness. An Introduction to Children's Literature combines a history of writing for children with an assessment of its literary, sociological, and pedagogical roles. Fundamentally a history of British children's literature, Hunt identifies fantasy, nostalgia, nature images, a sense of place of territory, testing and incitation, and warmth and security as all key characteristics of children's literature.

Senior Lecturer in the School of English, University of Wales, Cardiff, Peter Hunt is the author of many books on children's literature and organized the first course on children's literature at a U.K. university.