Blog #2 Chapter 2 Summary

Chapter 2 focuses on the development of children’s literature through out different times in history. The chapter also notes the standards used in evaluating young adult literature, the history of censorship, and the role children, and the family has in children’s literature. Oral tradition and early printed books are noted as being the earliest type of children’s literature, though they were not particularly geared for children. The oral traditions of families, and tribes were told through out the world, and develop what is known as folktales. Early printed books are traced back to the 1400’s, and were primarily used by children that attended monastery schools. A few other influences that brought forth the development children’s literature I found interesting include: the Puritan influence, John Locke’s influence on views of childhood, and Rousseau’s philosophy of natural development. Other information in the chapter that I found important is the criteria used to evaluate young adult literature, and that I agree with include: Does the literature motivate and inspire students?; Do the characters overcome problems in ways that help young readers gain insights on how to handle different problems. Finally, the child, and the family aspect that was brought into children literature around 1856-1903 is the influence that I find to be the most important, because now children were being taught of as valued individuals that had their own rights.

Personal connections: I personally can understand the development of folktales; I mean I remember as a child hearing adults talking about stories that were told to them as kids. I also enjoyed reading folktales when I was growing up, and still read them to my children.

Classroom application: I think in a classroom children should be exposed to different kind of genres along with the history that brought forth the genre. I also think having literature that relates to today’s society is important; because I think children can relate, and have a better understanding of what is currently happening around them.