In reading ‘7 trends in children’s and YA publishing’ (2020, July 17), I have been reflecting on the trends that resonate with me and my school community.
Children must be the drivers of change within the children’s literature space. The trends that would likely be on most children’s wish list include:
- Illustration: The increasing inclusion of illustration within fiction books, giving readers the opportunity to build their imaginings upon something observed. In an increasingly visual information landscape, children have not had to visualise entire worlds within their imagination before. The lack of included illustrations is often enough to put off a young reader, as the creation of visualisation from scratch often seems too daunting. If the purpose of reading is to learn and discover through enjoyment of text, then the inclusion of visuals is only going to make the text more accessible and appealing to a wider audience. The popularity of Graphic Novels highlights the accessible and engaging role that illustration plays.
- Visually Appealing: Children respond to creativity in the language used and the visual presentation of the text. A book’s personality must reflect the theme of the story, communicating through all aspects of it’s presentation. Creative use of font, layout, colour and design is not only a feature of the cover, but children expect this ‘personality’ to flow through the entire book. A child will then connect with the essence of the book , hooking them into wanting to engage with the story. Many children get grabbed by the cover, only to flick through the pages and place it back on the shelf. The reader is looking for an authentic visual representation of the story WITHIN the pages.
- Bite Sized Moments: Writers and creators need to examine the way that most readers are reading. There may now be fewer readers who have extended periods of uninterrupted and undistracted time to devote to reading, but instead may have bite-sized moments in which to engage with books. This doesn’t mean that a story most loose depth or substance, it just means that a story must be crafted in a way which allows the reader to build the story in brief but frequent reading sessions. Can the story be crafted in such a way that the language grabs the reader in a way that allows them to cast away distractions that may exist in their environment at the time of reading. Going back to my last point about the inclusion of visuals, this will only assist in making these bite-sized moments more engaging.
- Wellbeing a Priority: The more informed we become about diversity, inclusion, trauma and the resulting impacts on mental-health, the more imperative it becomes in ensuring wellbeing is at the heart of children’s literature. Making books child centered and focussed on matters that most affect children is a key priority now and in the future of children’s literature. In the past, literature was used as a means of getting children to think, believe and behave in ways that adults deemed most appropriate. Literature was used as a form of control. Over the centuries there has been a continual shift towards a child-centered approach to childhood in education, parenting and in general society which must be reflected in children’s literature. Literature must now be used to support children in their wellbeing by providing examples, advice, support and perspectives. Children are looking to literature for representation, searching for characters that resonate with their own experiences. Creating literature with a child-centered approach where child-wellbeing is at the heart is a must for the future of children’s literature.
As an aside, I am noticing a tension between the child borrowers and their well-meaning adults (either teachers or parents). The driver for innovation, transformation and change within the space of children’s literature should always be the child, however traditionally it has been the adults who have control over what is written, published, selected and purchased. I’m wondering if the increasing access to digital technologies and the way that these platforms are becoming extremely easy to use, is going to impact the way that content and literature is created and shared- giving a leg-up to child writers and creators.
Australian Writers’ Centre Team. (2020, July 17). 7 trends in children’s and YA publishing. AWC: Australian Writers’ Centre. https://www.writerscentre.com.au/blog/7-trends-in-childrens-and-ya-publishing/