My knowledge of Children’s Literature.
I completed most of my primary school in the 1980s in New York. I remember reading the Ramona series by Beverly Cleary and I remember reading The Little Princess and Anne of Green Gables. At the end of primary school I read the Babysitter’s Club series and the Trixie Belden series. I also remember following my mother into the adult section at the library and choosing How Green Was My Valley by Richard Llewellyn. I was so in love with Hugh.
My opinion of children’s literature now? In my opinion it ranges from high brow picture books written more as political statements or philosophical theories that can barely be understood by adults to celebrities who rewrite old books or use fart humour. Also, I love Anh Do but has he really written all of those different series? When does he sleep? How does he keep so many different characters in his head? Most of the books between these two extremes are just magical.
As a teacher in a low socio economic, high EaLD primary school, I need someone to fill the gap between Blabey’s Bad Guys and say, Jack Heath’s Liars series. Or between Ella Diaries and How to Bee. I think Edwina Wyatt’s Magnolia books come close.
I am conflicted by Neil Gaiman’s comments about letting students read whatever they want (2013). I do NOT like poorly written books based on Disney and Marvel movies and have censored them from my library collection. I love Disney and Marvel but those books are not well written. They don’t even evoke the imagery and emotions of the films. I have also stopped buying books with fart and poo in the title. Would Neil Gaiman approve?
I don’t feel too bad because the only other thing I know about children’s literature is that it is prolific. There is so much of it and much of it is so good. I cannot possibly purchase all of it for my small school library. I can’t even keep up with reading it all but what’s worse is that I feel that my fellow teachers aren’t even trying. The Kindergarten teachers return to the same books each year (The Gruffalo and Elmer) while the teachers of 3 to 6 do not borrow from the library at all.
So all I really know is that I need to learn how to be the children’s literature expert at my school AND find the time to share and inspire my fellow educators with the latest amazing children’s books.
Reference
readingagency. (2013, October 22). Neil Gaiman Reading Agency lecture 2013 [Video]. YouTube. https://youtu.be/yNIUWv9_ZH0
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