1 Defining childrens literature There is a lack of consensus as to what childrens literature is.

Some critics are even uncomfortable with the term e.g. Geoffrey Trease (writer of juvenile literature) who prefers the term junior novel instead of childrens novel. Others call into question the entire category. Below are some of the most popular definitions based on broad defining criteria which can be divided into four classes: i) Books written by children ii) Books written for children iii) Books chosen for children iv) Books chosen by children v) Books about children 1. Body of written works produced to entertain or instruct young people From this definition, it is clear that only written texts will be considered. This poses problems for orature which is at times considered literature. Childrens literature is defined in terms of purpose; the role it is intended to play in the lives of children. This tends to be prescriptive and limiting. Texts whose apparent purpose is not to entertain or instruct are excluded. Young is rather vague. How young is young? 2. Literature designed primarily to be read/listened to by children up to the age of adolescence. Definition does not cater for the bulk of literature adapted from adult literature. More than often the so called children have enjoyed adult stories which have subsequently been categorized as childrens texts. Adolescence is vague. 3. Any literature that is enjoyed by children; those books written and published for young people not yet interested in adult literature or who may not possess the reading skills and developmental understanding necessary for its perusal. Enjoyment is made of critical importance and this poses a challenge: are tastes universal and permanent? For shows commitment to a target group which in this case is young people who are vaguely defined as those not yet interested in adult literature or who may not possess the reading skills and developmental understanding necessary for its perusal. One then needs to be clear on what adult literature is. 4. Books that are actually selected and read by children. These are restricted to books that various authorities (e.g. teachers, professionals, literary scholars, parents, publishers, librarians, bookstore personnel and various award committees) determine as appropriate for children. (Nancy Anderson) At some point it would appear as if children actually select what they read yet this selection is at once restricted and guided. Children may select texts which will be deemed unsuitable. As for reading, so many books, some which might be deemed adult material, have been read by children in their subjective points all over the world.

5. All books written for children excluding works such as comic books, joke books, cartoon books and non-fiction books that are not intended to be read from front to back, such as dictionaries, encyclopedias and other reference material. (Nancy Anderson 2006) This is rather prescriptive and self-contradictory. There is no consensus on categories of childrens literature and if comic books are written for children and are to be read from front to back, why cant they be included under childrens literature? 6. Childrens literature is obviously what people think it is. (Hunt 1991) Implies that there can never be a single definition of childrens literature. No definition is sufficient. Definitions need to be contextualized since they are culturally determined. (Hunt 1994) Difficulties raised by other definitions include: i) written for- some texts written for children are sometimes only understood by adults ii) read by- such books could potentially include any book which exists for surely sometimes somewhere all books have been read by one child or another (Hunt 1991) Because the definition of childhood is relatively cultural and historical, childrens literature is obviously what people think it is. 7. Is there such a thing as a childrens book? Is the childrens book an art form distinct from other fiction, having its own particular excellence? Or is it just the novel made easy, in which everything is the same as in an adult book, only less so? (Jill Paton Walsh 1971) This calls to question the whole category. Suggests that the distinction between childrens literature and adult literature is superfluous. 8. A childrens book is a text whose name appears on a publishers list of childrens books (John Rowe Townsent 1971) The distinction between adult and childrens fiction is an artificial one maintained for administrative convenience. Rejects the notion of an essentially childrens literature. 9. Books written by children. 10. Books written about children. 11. Much of what is commonly regarded as classic childrens literature speaks on multiple levels and as such is able to be enjoyed by both adults and children. A re-reading of texts as adults leads reader to some aspects he/she failed to notice as a child. Adults may see the darker themes of a book and deem it unsuitable for kids despite the fact that such themes will likely be lost to children.