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PIPRR

Children's Literature

Children’s Literature and Reading items

In addition to thousands of children’s books, our collections contain many posters used to encourage children to read. These posters may be studied on their own for the rhetorical strategies used to entice young readers.

 

Overview

Literature for children has nurtured countless readers. Among the many classics of the various children’s genres are works by some of history’s most famed authors. Children’s literature also has a rich tradition of illustration. Among our many holdings are collections devoted to Beatrix Potter, Twas the Night Before Christmas, Pop-up Books, and more.

Guiding Questions
  • How did works for children communicate messages about societal values? race? gender roles?
  • What role does illustration play in children’s literature? How have illustrative techniques and visual appeals changed over time in the genre?
  • Are there discernible patterns to controversies around children’s books? What kind of books are typically controversial? Why?
  • How do children’s books fundamentally differ from works written for adults?
  • How do children’s books treat subjects important to kids such as family, home, pets, etc.?
Where to Search
  • Library Catalog for books held by Special Collections
  • Poster Collection (see Special Collections)
West Chester University   ---    WCU Libraries  25 West Rosedale Avenue, West Chester, PA 19383  610-430-4400