Literature for Children and

Young Adults
Aspects Of Good Children Literature
Aspects Of Good Literature
 are the things that make a book good for
children different from the things that make a
book a good piece of literature for adults?
 the aspects are language, presentation,
characterisation, setting, plot and theme
 these elements are found in nearly all high-
quality literature
Language
 linguistic
◦ simpler in terms of syntax and vocabulary
◦ choice of words
 simple
 concrete
 no abstractions
◦ syntax – uncomplicated/short sentences
Language
 semantic
◦ meaning is usually clear
◦ direct/denotative
◦ absence of nuances/double
meanings/connotative words
◦ why?
Language
 stylistic/literary elements
◦ distinct absence of advances literary devices
 metaphor/ irony/ satire/ sarcasm
 P.O.V always 2nd person and not 1st person  why?
 convoluted plot
 flashback/foreshadowing
◦ complex characterisation
Language
 stylistic/literary elements
◦ however, significant use of
 symbolism (e.g. colours; white vs black)
 personification ( e.g. animal/ objects with human
characteristics)
 imagery (esp. visual, aural, tactile)
 why?
Presentation
 involves four
parts:
◦ text style used in
printing
◦ narrative style
◦ illustrations
◦ anti- bias factor
within the book
Text Style

 the style, size, colour and

location of the print must fit the purpose
and feeling created by the narrative
 print size
◦ the much larger size  meant to help
beginning readers
 mouse

a big whale
C lu msy clown
 Once upon a time
Once upon a time

Once upon a time

Once upon a time

Text Style
 what about print color?
◦ e.g: using large typed lettering on dark
backgrounds  provide narrative effects to
the story depending on the needs and
purpose

 print location?
◦ print can be placed in various locations on the
page to enhance the effect of the narrative
 eg: spacing in poetry writing
Narrative Style
 poetic style
◦ “Queen, you are full
fair, ‘tis true, but Snow
White is fairer than
you”
◦ uses poetry to bring in
fun
 repetitive style
◦ Alexander and the
Terrible, Horrible, No
Good, Very Bad Day
Narrative Style
 point of view
Narrative Style
 point of view
◦ nowadays, it is told from the child’s
perspective rather than adult

The kitchen has four big chairs with shiny red

seats. The cookie jar looks like a big fat doll and it
is always full of yummy things to eat.

The kitchen has lots of legs and a blue floor with

crumbs and a sticky Kool-Aid patch that the cat
licked almost clean.
Illustrations & Pictures
 artistic modes
◦ color – crayon, oild
pastels, chalk, pen, ink
etc.
◦ shading, detailing,
smudging  gives
different expression to
an illustration
 painted illustrations
◦ most common
Illustrations & Pictures
 integration with text
◦ refers to whether or not the illustrations with
the text fit all aspects of the narrative
 e.g readers can see the fish swimming in the entire
ocean and even includes the fish flowing off the
page
◦ attention to detail
 Monkey wearing the same red hat
throughout the story
◦ texture
◦ colour
Anti-Bias Factor
 race, sex, religion,
age, disability
◦ e.g. The Story of
Dick and Jane
 Jane wore a dress
and passively
watched as Dick did
all the exciting
activities
Exercise
Baa baa black sheep,
Have you any wool?
Yes sir, yes sir, three bags full!
One for the master,
One for the dame,
And one for the little boy,
Who lives down the lane.

 rewrite the nursery rhyme

 give a new interpretation by manipulating the
font styles, illustrations, etc.
Exercise
PART I - THE END