While ‘children’s literature’ has existed in one form or another for over two centuries now, it still finds itself readily dismissed by cultural critics: seen as a ‘lesser’ form of literature, little more than a pair of training wheels to prepare children for ‘proper’ books. This attitude ignores the huge cultural impact of children’s literature, both past and present, and their ability to shape world-views and introduce complex ideas and concepts to young minds in a way that other forms of entertainment can’t. Children’s literature retains a vital function; it’s surviving popularity today, even while facing a generation of kids who face more possible distractions than ever before, is a testament to the importance of such literature.
Because of its loose definition, it is unclear where the history of ‘children’s literature’ can truly be said to begin, but for as long as literature has been produced, children have always been kept in mind by authors looking to reach younger audiences – even if they did not explicitly write for them. ‘Children’s literature’, as we understand it today (literature written for and marketed to children), truly began to take off and develop as a separate genre during the 18th and 19th centuries. This long, rich and varied history rivals that of any genre of ‘adult fiction’, and it is with children’s literature today that publisher’s have one of their biggest money-earners.
The most successful children’s authors command enormous, world-wide audiences that often dwarf the financial successes of ‘serious’ authors in sales: books aimed at children are snapped by avid readers, but also brought by parents and relatives as gifts, or introduced to students at schools as valuable gateways to both reading comprehension and literature appreciation. Books provide a unique means for the reader to gain an understanding of themselves and the world around them, while also providing the obvious benefits to mental stimulation and literacy skills that have been well-known for years now. For young readers, literature is one of the most valuable and rewarding forms of entertainment they can partake it.
So it’s no wonder that we see such popularity and variety within children’s literature; spanning across different genres such as action thrillers, horrors and coming-of-age dramas, and tackling various social and personal issues of relevance (such as the subject of autism in The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night Time). Children’s novels now even share the honour of having films adapted from their work, like the greats of classic literature: Harry Potter remains one of the most popular movie franchises of all time.
Modern children’s literature continues the long tradition set by its predecessors, shaping the future cultural landscape by being among the earliest influencers on young minds; from Lewis Carroll and Robert Lewis Stephenson, to Philip Pullman and Jacqueline Wilson. Ever since John Newbery became the first English publisher to devote a press specifically to this kind of literature in the 18th century and published books such as Little Goodie Two Shoes and A Little Pretty Pocket Book, author’s have provided a potent and powerful portal into the imagination for readers. Children’s literature is much more than just a means to teach children how to read and it’s popularity is an indicator of just how important it is and will continue to be.