There are many debates in different circles in relation to the importance and prevalence of children’s literature into the future and who the drivers of change will be for children’s literature.

After some extensive reading and research I believe that children’s literature will continue on, in a reasonably similar form for at least the foreseeable future. Research, such as that discussed in the article by Ellen Harvey based on the webinar ‘Top Trends in Children’s Literature: Personalized and Interactive Books for the Holidays’, emphasises that ‘print is still alive’ (Harvey, 2015), particularly in the children’s section. This is backed up form a number of other articles such as Kathy Short’s (2018) article, ‘What’s Trending in Children’s Literature and Why it Matters’ where it states that although eBooks have grown in popularity in a number of areas, child and young adult books have seen an increase in both print and digital platforms. This just emphasises that although technology and eBooks are a more flexible way of interacting with texts and gives the reader the ability to interactively engage with stories from generations gone (Wolf, 2014), that physical books are still valued as a regular domestic activity (Hateley, 2013).

But who will be the drivers of change be in relation to children’s literature? Simple. The children.

The children and young people that are reading and viewing todays literature both print and digital will be the authors and creators of the future. These children will be the ones to grow with and develop new technologies, as has happened in the past, to enhance and design new visual and interactive stories for all to enjoy.

 

Reference

Harvey, E. (2015, December 8). Five trends affecting children’s literature. Book Business.

Hateley, E. (2013). Reading: From turning the page to touching the screen. In Wu, Y., Mallan, K. & McGillis, R. (Eds.) (Re)imagining the world: Children’s literature response to the changing times (pp. 1-13). New Frontiers of Educational Research.

Short, K. (2018). What’s trending in children’s literature and why it matters. Language Arts, 95(5), 287-298.

Wolf, S. (2014). Children’s literature on the digital move. Reading Teacher, 67(6), 413-417. https://doi-org.ezproxy.csu.edu.au/10.1002/trtr.1235