Literature For Children - A Branch Of Creative Writing

Adults have narrated stories to children from time immemorial. Before the invention of printing in Europe, there was little literacy among the general public. Education was co9nfined to the nobles and clergy. Books were copied by hand and were not reachable to everybody. Under those circumstances, children’s literature was based on an oral tradition. It consisted myths, fables, ballads, and poems. Though a few books meant for children were produced, they were instructional in nature. Mostly the writers followed ‘Catechism’ method – which in question and answer style. This format remained in use for few centuries.

This first recognized classic of children’s literature appeared in France in 1697. It was a book of eight tales collected by Charles Perrault. It was entitled Stories and Tales of Times past with Morals; or tales of time past of Mother Goose. In t1744, John Newbury published, A Little Pocket Book in England. It was one of the first children’s books designed mainly to amuse rather than to educate. Newbury was also one of the first important publishers of children’s books.

  Children’s book or writing and publishing for children became a distinct branch of literature during branch of literature during the 1800s. Illustrations or pictures have become an essential feature of children’s books around the same time. It was exemplified by John Tennel’s illustration for Alice in Wonderland and through the looking glass written by Lewis Carroll.

Literature for children is a special branch of creative writing. It is for young readers, ranging from preschool age to the teenage years. It consists of every type used in adult literature, novel, plays, biographies, poetry, collection of folk takes and informative works on the arts, science and social affairs.

   Literature for children is written expressly at their level and they are designed and illustrated to develop the imagination of children. Some books that were written for adults have taken on the status of children’s literature because of their popularity with children. Among these are the collection of folks tales assembled by the brother Grimm (Grimm’s Grimm Fairy Tales), mark Twain’s  ‘Tom Sawyer’, to a certain extent Huckleberry Finn, Daniel Defoe’s  ‘Robin son Crusoe ‘and Jonathan  Swift’s  ‘Gulliver’s Travels. Many adult works have been adapted for children in different versions, for example, the ever- popular story i\of king Thomas Malory’s Morte D’ Arthur.

  During the 20^th century there was enormous growth in children’s books. Picture book is the product of the century. The first picture book was Beatrix Potter’s The Tale of Peter Rabbit published in 1910. Books are now there for almost every stage of childhood. They cover almost c\every subject. The latest to be added are J.K. Rowling’s “Harry Potter” series in Fantasy and Adventure which are popular among the children. Children’s book now deal with serious social problems like race, drugs etc. as well as with history and biography. Books for children have now become an investable part of their growth.