Medieval Literature for Children

Daniel T. Kline is Assistant Professor of English at the University of Alaska, Anchorage

"Daniel Kline's well-edited book of sixteen essays, each by a different authority and accompanied by the medieval text to which it refers, is an important milestone in the ongoing rediscover of children's literature prior to the printed book." -- Gillian Adams, CLAQ, the Children's Literature Association Quarterly."The book is the first critical anthology of texts written for children during the Middle Ages. The volume includes selections from nearly 20 medieval texts, accompanied by incisive critical introductions by an outstanding group of interdisciplinary scholars that illuminate the diversity, sophistication, and complexity of literature for medieval children and youth." -- Pubblicato SulBollettino del Cirt"Daniel Kline's well-edited book of sixteen essays, each by a different authority and accompanied by the medieval text to which it refers, is an important milestone in the ongoing rediscovery of children's literature prior to the printed book. I cannot recommend it too highly to historians of children's literature, or even those who just say a few words about early children's literature in a survey course. The 20-page bibliography alone is worth the price." -- Gillian Adams, Children's LiteratureAssociation Quarterly

• Introduction: Medieval Children's Literature: Problems, Possibilities, Parameters Part I: Didactic and Moral Literature Chapter 1: William Hodapp: The Fables of Avianus Chapter 2: Lynnea Brumbaugh-Walter: Selections from the Gesta Romanorum Chapter 3: Lauren Kiefer: Selectiosn from Gower's Confessio Amantis Part 2: Courtesy and Conduct Literature Chapter 4: Martha Dana Rust: The ABC of Aristotle Chapter 5: Deanna Delmar Evans The Babees Book Chapter 6: Cindy Vitto: Selections from The Book of The Knight of the Tower Part 3: Educational and Instructional Literature Chapter 7: Stephen Harris: Aelfric's Colloquy Chapter 8: Kathleen Kennedy: Le Tretiz of Walter of Bibbesworth Chapter 9: Paul Acker Plimpton: A Schoolchild's Primer Chapter 10: Sigmund Eisner and Marijane Osborn: Chaucer as Teacher: Chaucer's Treatise on the Astrolabe Part 4: Religious Literature Chapter 11: Patrick Cook: The Ecloga Theoduli Chapter 12: Julie Nelson Couch: The Child Slain by Jews and The Jewish Boy Chapter 13: Judith Deitch: Ypotis: A Middle English Dialogue Part 5: Entertainment and Popular Literature Chapter 14: Brian S. Lee: Occupation and Idleness Chapter 15: Stephen Yandell: Selection from Math Son of Mathonwy, From the Mabinogi Chapter 16: Mary E. Shaner: Sir Gowther Bibliography Index