help with children's literature!?

Question

can anyone frind articles online that have to do with historical childrens literature (early 1800's) that have to do with the literature written for kids that are intended for adults, like hidden innuendos, etc.

Answer 1

I don't know about articles online, but I do know that there is a book called "From Instruction to Delight: An Anthology of Children's Literature to 1850" edited by Patricia Demers that has a lot of information in it about your topic. I would suggest looking at that if you have time to find a copy.

Most other sites I can think of where you could find an article are for members of the publication, like "The Lion and Unicorn" and "The Children's Literature Association." If you are someone with access to a University library, you might be able to get to these publications using a code or access through your library's website.

Good luck!

Answer 2

I am currently pursuing a Masters degree in Children's Literature, and I have two answers to this question.

The first is that I agree with Kate above. Demers book is an excellent resource for the study of children's literature.

Also, I worry that the early 1800 may be too early to start looking for the type of specific, adult-oriented in-jokes to which you refer. The "Instruction to Delight" in the title of Demers work infers the fact that from the start of children's literature (defined as books intended for reading specifically by children) the intention was to educate, not entertain. Not until the early 1900s did books really look at entertainment and whimsy as an acceptable goal.

Also, children's books in the early stages usually contained traditional stories (biblical and folk tales mainly) that adults already knew. These texts were intended for adults and children together.

Answer 3

Were stories written for children that early? I have an impression that children were considered miniature adults at the time. Portraits from that period still show children in smaller versions of adult dress, don't they? I do see that some authors did take a less dour view of childhood: "Charles Lamb, 1775-1834. Tales from Shakespear: designed for the use of young persons. London: Printed for M.J. Godwin ..., 1816. The Tales were adapted for children by Charles Lamb and his sister Mary. First published in 1807, the drawings were done by William Mulready and engraved by William Blake. The Tales are remarkably free from the heavy moralizing usually found during this period and use the poet's words whenever possible. Although the illustrations and format have changed over the years, the Lambs' adaption of Shakespeare can still be found today. "

Answer 4

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