Children’s literature is a fascinating and diverse genre that has captivated young readers for centuries. From classic tales like “The Cat in the Hat” to modern favourites like the “Harry Potter” series, children’s books offer imaginative stories, vibrant illustrations, and valuable life lessons.
Wether it’s picture books for toddlers or middle-grade novels for pre-teens, children’s literature has the power to inspire and delight, and to create lifelong readers. Let’s explore recent developments in the world of children’s literature.
But before that, let’s head back to the roots of children’s literature which seems to be resurfacing now!
Forgotten pioneer of Indian children’s literature, Dhan Gopal Mukherji
This pioneering Indian author introduced Indian writing in English to the global literary landscape for children. His books were praised for their empathy and understanding of India’s flora, fauna, and way of life.
He was the first and only Indian to win the Newbery Medal, which he received for his book Gay-Neck: The Story of a Pigeon in 1928. Though largely forgotten today, his contribution to children’s literature in India is immense, and writers continue to draw inspiration from him.
Ross Welford Inspired Young Writers at Sharjah Children’s Literature Fair
This workshop for kids has my heart! I always think it’s important to have dedicated sessions with children and teach them to discuss books just like avid adult readers do. During this event, Author Ross Welford reminded students that “writing is rewriting” at Sharjah Children’s Literature Fair.
In his interactive session, Welford discussed the importance of characters and their problems. He engaged the students in a fun exercise called “Lost and Found”, where he emphasized the significance of this theme in many popular stories. He also encouraged the students to invent characters and shared funny scenes from his books with them.
Author Shannon Hale on the Importance of Non-Traditional Gender Roles in Children’s Literature
This final news I came across made me stop in my tracks and do a double-take! Shannon Hale, co-author of the popular children’s book series “The Princess in Black,” has faced criticism for including a male character who expresses traditionally feminine characteristics in her latest book, “The Princess in Black and The Prince in Pink.”
Hale responded with sympathy towards the negative reviews on Amazon, stating that kids have been asking for a “Prince in Pink” and that the storyline felt natural in the series’ universe. She also discussed the issue of adults policing the content of books for children and youth, particularly in Utah where a law was passed in 2022.
Where did these three diverse yet coherent news pieces leave the individual? They were left with a sense of hope for children and young readers of tomorrow. The more they read, the more they realized that children need to be exposed to both traditional and modern stories and authors.
The individual believes that children receive valuable education through books and literature, surpassing what they learn from their parents or teachers. They see no harm in classic and modern writers conveying morals and addressing “woke” subjects to kids. The individual is interested in knowing others’ thoughts on whether they would encourage their children to attend such workshops and read such books.
Neha Raj is the Co-founder of Booknerds