The Hidden Adult: Defining Children's Literature

About this book

What exactly is a childrens book? How is childrens literature defined as a genre? A leading scholar presents close readings of six classic stories to answer these questions and offer a clear definition of childrens writing as a distinct literary form. Perry Nodelman begins by considering the plots themes and structures of six works: "The Purple Jar " Alice in Wonderland Dr. Doolittle Henry Huggins The Snowy Day and Plain Cityall written for young people of varying ages in different times and placesto identify shared characteristics. He points out markers in each work that allow the adult reader to understand it as a childrens story shedding light on ingrained adult assumptions and revealing the ways in which adult knowledge and experience remain hidden in apparently simple and innocent texts. Nodelman then engages a wide range of views of childrens literature from authors literary critics cultural theorists and specialists in education and information sciences. Through this informed dialogue Nodelman develops a comprehensive theory of childrens literature exploring its commonalities and shared themes. The Hidden Adult is a focused and sophisticated analysis of childrens literature and a major contribution to the theory and criticism of the genre.