If you are interested in getting a systematic analysis and deeper understanding of children's literature, Kid Lit: An Introduction to Literary Criticism written by Tom Durwood would be a great book to start. Learn more about it and enter to win 1 of 10 copies!
My Review:
For me, Kid Lit: An Introduction to Literary Criticism is a rather dense and insightful read. I'm truly impressed with the breadth and depth of knowledge being covered and I really appreciate the author's clear and concise writing style. Following a clarification of the goal the author tries to achieve through his writing and research, the book starts with a brief overview of the history of children's literature, or Kid Lit for short, the scope of which the author has broadened to include movies, comics and online games in addition to books.
The book is then organized into three major sections. The first section presents what the author refers to as the "Lit Crit Toolbox," which lays out the analytical and theoretical tools commonly used to critique children's literature and literary works in general. I find this section to be particularly informative and interesting. It not only explains such basic concepts as plot, theme, character, setting, etc, but also summarizes the structural similarities and differences in Kid Lit across time, culture, and genre.
The second part of the book provides six in-depth case studies consisting of interviews with literary scholars, editorial notes and references to scholarly research. While the discussions are highly professional, the cases the author picks are quite familiar to the general public, such as the Lion King, Star Wars, and Harry Potter. I love that the author highlights the essential messages in bold letters and in textboxes throughout the book, so that the readers won't miss them. The book concludes with a reiteration of its mission and lesson plans filled with challenging and thought-provoking exercises for serious students of children's literature.
As the author stresses repeatedly, the book is intended to equip students with marketable skills that go well beyond the field of literature, including critical thinking, logical reasoning, and creative writing. The book also takes the time to explore the impact of history, culture and politics on the development of children's literature. It is a very resourceful book that can be used as a textbook for an introductory course on children's literature or a reference for those who are really into the subject matter.
About the Book:
All Ages | 220 Pages
Publisher: Empire Studies Press | ISBN-13: 9781952520044
We are surrounded by narratives, in fiction and in our everyday lives. In this colorful collection of ideas, the author argues that understanding the components of our favorite children’s stories can lead to a lifetime of critical thinking.
Beginning with the elements of the universal coming-of-age narrative, “Kid Lit” shows young readers and general readers alike how to recognize story structure, class, gender, symbolism, trauma and Orientalism in children’s narratives.
Of value to all teachers, students, librarians, readers, literature lovers, and moviegoers.
Order a copy: Amazon | Bookshop
About the Author:
Tom Durwood is a teacher, writer and editor with an interest in history. Tom most recently taught English Composition and Empire and Literature at Valley Forge Military College, where he won the Teacher of the Year Award five times. Tom has taught Public Speaking and Basic Communications as a guest lecturer for the Naval Special Warfare Development Group at the Dam’s Neck Annex of the Naval War College.
Tom is editor of an online scholarly journal, The Journal of Empire Studies (www.empirestudies.org). Peter Suber, Berkman Fellow at Harvard University, an advocate of the open access movement, praises the journal as “a new opportunity for overcoming access barriers to knowledge and research.” Dr. Julian Fisher of Scholarly Exchange has also applauded Tom’s efforts. “Creating valuable academic content and then hiding it behind financial firewalls – the traditional scholarly publishing model – runs counter to the essence of scholarship, learning and sharing,” according to Fisher. “To see a journal such as the Journal of Empire Studies breaking that mold is exciting.”
Tom’s newspaper column “Shelter” appeared in the North County Times for seven years. Tom earned a Masters in English Literature in San Diego, where he also served as Executive Director of San Diego Habitat for Humanity. Tom earned his undergraduate degree from Harvard, where he edited an undergraduate arts journal and studied with David McClelland (Roots of Consciousness).
For more information, teacher resources, and lesson plans, visit www.kidlitcrit.com.
Ten lucky readers will each win a digital copy of Kid Lit: An Introduction to Literary!
Giveaway ends 7/29. Open to US 18+ only. Please enter below. Good luck!
Kid Lit: An Introduction to Literary Criticism GiveawayDisclosure: This is a sponsored post in partnership with The Children’s Book Review and Tom Durwood. icefairy's Treasure Chest is not responsible for winner selection or prize fulfillment.
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