Includes bibliographical references (pages 191-203) and index.
Contents
Preface -- ch. 1. The cultural homogenization of american children -- ch. 2. Do you know what we are doing to your books? -- ch. 3. Why children's literature does not exist -- ch. 4. The value of evaluating the value of children's literature -- ch. 5. Wanda Gág's Americanization of the Grimm's fairy tales -- ch. 6. The contamination of the fairy tale -- ch. 7. The wisdom and folly of storytelling -- ch. 8. The perverse delight of Shockheaded Peter -- ch. 9. The phenomenon of Harry Potter, or why all the talk?
Summary
This text explores children's literature, from Slovenly Peter to the Harry Potter books, and argues that despite common assumptions about children's books, our investment is paradoxically curtailing their freedom and creativity.
