Children's Literature (ENGL3007)
School of Humanities and Social Science - University of Newcastle
Semester 2 / 2011

Texts

y separately published work icon Galax-Arena Gillian Rubinstein , South Yarra : Hyland House , 1992 Z511941 1992 single work novel young adult science fiction (taught in 3 units) In the year 2026, three young Australians, a brother and two sisters, are kidnapped by space pirates and taken to another galaxy to perform for aliens in a futuristic amphitheatre
y separately published work icon Seven Little Australians Ethel Turner , London Melbourne : Ward, Lock and Bowden , 1894 Z863667 1894 single work children's fiction children's (taught in 25 units)

'Without doubt Judy was the worst of the seven, probably because she was the cleverest.'

'Her father, Captain Woolcot, found his vivacious, cheeky daughter impossible – but seven children were really too much for him and most of the time they ran wild at their rambling riverside home, Misrule.

'Step inside and meet them all – dreamy Meg, and Pip, daring Judy, naughty Bunty, Nell, Baby and the youngest, 'the General'. Come and share in their lives, their laughter and their tears.' (From the publisher's website.)
y separately published work icon My Girragundji Meme McDonald , Boori Pryor , St Leonards : Allen and Unwin , 1998 Z834922 1998 single work children's fiction children's humour (taught in 8 units) 'Alive with humour, this is the vivid story of a boy growing up between two worlds. With Girragundji, the little green tree frog, he finds the courage to face the Hairyman, the bullies at school, and also learns the lessons of manhood that his father teaches him. A young boy growing up in a large family and caught between Koori and white worlds, finds his attachment to a little tree frog gives him the courage to face his fears.' Source: Libraries Australia.
Stinky Cheeseman and Other Fairly Stupid Tales!$!Scieszka and Smith!$! !$! Penguin!$!1993
Black and White!$!David Macaulay!$! !$!Sandpiper!$!2005
Perks Of Being A Wallflower!$!Chbosky!$! !$!Simon and Schuster!$!
Where the Wild Things are!$!Sendak, Maurice!$!Random House, 2000!$!!$!
American Born Chinese!$!Pien, Lark!$!Roaring Brook Press, 2006!$!!$!
The Boy in the Striped Pyjamas!$!Boyne, John!$!Random House, 2006!$!!$!

Degrees

Bachelor of Arts

Description

This course provides a representative survey of children's literature. Topics investigated will include the nature and social context of children's literature, the relationship between text and illustration, the presentation of social issues in writing for children, the role of imagination and fantasy, and the representation of Australian childhood.

Objectives

On successfully completing the course, students will be able to demonstrate an awareness of the range of current children's literature and to engage in informed discussion of:

- fundamental linguistic and literary properties of literature written for children

- the inter-relationship of text and illustration in "picture books"

- the presentation of cultural variation, human relationships and social tensions in forms accessible to children

- the role of fantasy and imagination in children's literature

Content

The course will cover a range of topics relating to current children's literature, including:

- Social and cognitive contexts of children's literature: fantasy and realism; constructions of the child; innocence and experience; censorship; entertainment and education

- The role of illustrations in children's books

- Themes in current children's literature: growing up in Australia; multicultural backgrounds; humour and imagination; human relationships; social issues

Assessment

*Two take-home assignments, equivalent to 1500 words each (2 @ 30%) = 60%

*Essay of 2000 words = 40%

Other Details

Offered in: 2010, 2009, 2008, 2007, 2006, 2005, 2004
Levels: Undergraduate
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