Children’s literature is a diverse and subjective concept, yet commonalities in various definitions suggest it involves reading material written primarily for, or widely read by, children from early years to adolescence. It has the capacity to engage children in shaping their understanding of personal experiences, emotions and the world around them through language and story. There is an inherent cultural and historical influence upon the various definitions and interpretations of children’s literature, which is shaped by the diverse societies from which they emerge. This added dimension, therefore, becomes a reflection of different ways of life, values and experiences of childhood at various moments and places in time.
1.1a – Children’s Literature Definition
