I believe it's perfectly fine for adults to read children's literature. We lose out on some great stuff if we don't just because it is meant for younger ages. Honestly, I find these books more fun to read sometimes because of the topics they deal with. Adult or "regular" literature just seems so much more serious than what we get out of children's lit. We can have more fun and go on more adventures in the children's books.
Children's literature is still a fairly new concept. Books for children have been written since they started writing books, but they were non-fiction, primers and guides on behavior and similar stuff. It wasn't until the 18th and 189th centuries that fiction aimed at children was created.
Ten Facts About Children's Literature:
- Harry Potter is the best selling children's series of all-time.
- The success of Harry Potter on the New York Times Best Sellers List prompted them to create a list for children's books.
- Through the year 2000, Charlotte's Web by EB White was considered the most successful children's book.
- Current New York Times Best Selling Children's Book Middle-Grade: Wonder by R.J. Palacio
- Current New York Times Best Selling Children's Book Young Adult: The Perks of Being a Wallflower by Stephen Chbosky
- Current New York Times Best Selling Children's Series: The Infernal Devices by Cassandra Clare
- 1744, John Newbery publishes A Little Pretty Pocket-Book. It is widely considered the first children's book published.
- 1922, first Newbery Award is given to The Story of Mankind by Hendrik Willem Van Loon.
- 2013, latest Newbery Award is given to The One and Only Ivan by Katherine Applegate.
- The 19th century is considered to be the golden age of children's literature with such titles published as Robinson Crusoe by Daniel Defoe, Little Women by Louisa May Alcott, Tom Sawyer by Mark Twain, Little Lord Fauntleroy by Frances Hodgson Burnett, Black Beauty by Anna Sewell, Alice's Adventures in Wonderland by Lewis Carroll, and Treasure Island by Robert Louis Stevenson.
For more information check out these sites:
I have never delved into reviewing or writing children's literature, and so am informed by the wealth of information you've included here. Congrats on a well written post!
ReplyDeleteSherrey at Healing by Writing and Found Between the Covers
Thank you.
DeleteHello Leah I have been trying to find your email address. I wanted to touch bases with you. please email me at richettablackmon1977@gmail.com (Blog Design Makeover winners)
ReplyDeleteYes, a very well written post, and a host of valuable information!! I love children's books. I like the whimsy of them. One of my crochet friends here on blogger, had taken photos of a very old book she had for years...a children's book, and said she could just sit and cry at all the adorable sweet little pictures of mice all dressed up, sipping tea from china cups, working out in the gardens, etc....just so cute. This is me!! I like things like this and I love all creatures. I think when books like this are written with pictures and a little story, it makes kids think that just maybe little critters have feelings, a life, etc.....So happy I stopped by here today!! www.sandysanderellasmusings.blogspot.com
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