Vivian Yenika-Agbaw – författare

A COMPANION TO CHILDREN''S LITERATURE

A collection of international, up-to-date, and diverse perspectives on children''s literary criticism

A Companion to Children''s Literature offers students and scholars studying children''s literature, education, and youth librarianship an incisive and expansive collection of essays that discuss key debates within children''s literature criticism. The thirty-four works included demonstrate a diverse array of perspectives from around the world, introduce emerging scholars to the field of children''s literature criticism, and meaningfully contribute to the scholarly conversation.

The essays selected by the editors present a view of children''s literature that encompasses poetry, fiction, folklore, nonfiction, dramatic stage and screen performances, picturebooks, and interactive and digital media. They range from historical overviews to of-the-moment critical theory about children’s books from across the globe.

A Companion to Children''s Literature explores some of the earliest works in children''s literature, key developments in the genre from the 20th century, and the latest trends and texts in children''s information books, postmodern fairytales, theatre, plays, and more. This collection also discusses methods for reading children''s literature, from social justice critiques of popular stories to Black critical theory in the context of children''s literary analysis.

A COMPANION TO CHILDREN''S LITERATURE

A collection of international, up-to-date, and diverse perspectives on children''s literary criticism

A Companion to Children''s Literature offers students and scholars studying children''s literature, education, and youth librarianship an incisive and expansive collection of essays that discuss key debates within children''s literature criticism. The thirty-four works included demonstrate a diverse array of perspectives from around the world, introduce emerging scholars to the field of children''s literature criticism, and meaningfully contribute to the scholarly conversation.

The essays selected by the editors present a view of children''s literature that encompasses poetry, fiction, folklore, nonfiction, dramatic stage and screen performances, picturebooks, and interactive and digital media. They range from historical overviews to of-the-moment critical theory about children’s books from across the globe.

A Companion to Children''s Literature explores some of the earliest works in children''s literature, key developments in the genre from the 20th century, and the latest trends and texts in children''s information books, postmodern fairytales, theatre, plays, and more. This collection also discusses methods for reading children''s literature, from social justice critiques of popular stories to Black critical theory in the context of children''s literary analysis.

This book explores how African youth are depicted in contemporary literature and popular culture, and discusses the different ways by which they attempt to construct personal and cultural identities through popular culture and social media outlets. The contributors approach the subject from an interdisciplinary perspective, looking at images in children’s and adolescent literature from Africa, and the African diaspora, from Nollywood and Hollywood movies, from popular magazines, and from youth cultures encountered directly through field experiences. The findings reveal that there are many stereotypes about Africa, African youth and black cultures, and that African youth are aware of these. Since they juggle multiple identities shaped by their ethnicities, race and religion, it is often a challenge for them to define themselves. As they also share a global youth culture that transcends these cultural markers, some take advantage of media outlets to voice their concerns and participate in political struggles. Others simply use these to promote their personal interests. Contributors ponder the challenges involved in constructing unique identities, offering ideas on how African youth are doing so successfully or not in different parts of the continent and the African diaspora, and thus offer new possibilities for youth studies.

This book explores how African youth are depicted in contemporary literature and popular culture, and discusses the different ways by which they attempt to construct personal and cultural identities through popular culture and social media outlets. The contributors approach the subject from an interdisciplinary perspective, looking at images in children’s and adolescent literature from Africa, and the African diaspora, from Nollywood and Hollywood movies, from popular magazines, and from youth cultures encountered directly through field experiences. The findings reveal that there are many stereotypes about Africa, African youth and black cultures, and that African youth are aware of these. Since they juggle multiple identities shaped by their ethnicities, race and religion, it is often a challenge for them to define themselves. As they also share a global youth culture that transcends these cultural markers, some take advantage of media outlets to voice their concerns and participate in political struggles. Others simply use these to promote their personal interests. Contributors ponder the challenges involved in constructing unique identities, offering ideas on how African youth are doing so successfully or not in different parts of the continent and the African diaspora, and thus offer new possibilities for youth studies.

Representing Africa in Children’s Literature explores how African and Western authors portray youth in contemporary African societies, critically examining the dominant images of Africa and Africans in books published between 1960 and 2005. The book focuses on contemporary children’s and young adult literature set in Africa, examining issues regarding colonialism, the politics of representation, and the challenges posed to both "insiders" and "outsiders" writing about Africa for children.

Representing Africa in Children’s Literature explores how African and Western authors portray youth in contemporary African societies, critically examining the dominant images of Africa and Africans in books published between 1960 and 2005. The book focuses on contemporary children’s and young adult literature set in Africa, examining issues regarding colonialism, the politics of representation, and the challenges posed to both "insiders" and "outsiders" writing about Africa for children.