Children's Literature (ENGL2011)
School of Humanities and Social Science - University of Newcastle
Semester 2 / 2012

Texts

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.
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
Stinky Cheeseman and Other Fairly Stupid Tales!$!Scieszka and Smith!$!Penguin, 1993!$!!$!
Perks Of Being A Wallflower!$!Chbosky!$!Simon and Schuster!$!!$!
y separately published work icon Two Mates Melanie Prewett , Maggie Prewett (illustrator), Broome : Magabala Books , 2012 Z1909905 2012 single work picture book children's (taught in 3 units)

'Two Mates is the true story of the special mateship between two young boys who have grown up together in the coastal town of Broome in Australia's north-west.

'Jack is Indigenous and Raf is a non-Indigenous boy who has spinabifida.

Jack and Raf take the reader on a journey of their daily life growing up in Broome. Together they search for hermit crabs, go hunting for barni, fish for salmon, explore the markets, eat satays and dress up as superheros.'

'The fact that Raf is in a wheelchair is only revealed at the end of the story.' (From the publisher's website.)
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.)
American Born Chinese!$!Pien, Lark!$!Roaring Brook Press, 2006!$!!$!
Black and White!$!David Macaulay!$!Sandpiper, 2005!$!!$!
Where the Wild Things are!$!Sendak, Maurice!$!Random House, 2000!$!!$!
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 children's literature

- 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

- The idea of the classic

Assessment

Essays / Written Assignments

Essay of 1500 words = 30%

Essay of 2000 words = 40%

Journal

5 reading journal entries @ 300 words each = 30%.

Other Details

Offered in: 2011, 2010, 2009, 2008, 2007, 2006, 2005, 2004
Levels: Undergraduate
Coordinator:
Categories:
Homepage
Click to open in new window
X