Qualities of

Children’s
Literature
By: Prof. Estella Marie Alicante
1. Simple and straightforward.

Not simplistic or choppy or flat without

flow and intrigue.

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2. Depends on action to maintain interest.

Can there be action without action?

Are thoughts action?
Are other character's inactions actions?
Are external events included in the narration,
comments and other writing techniques
action?

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3. Has characters that are children.
Includes childhood events, actions, and
happenings.

Can it be children's literature if there aren't

children?
Or if the main character isn't a child?

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✦ 4. Expresses a child’s point of view.

✦ 5. Is optimistic. There is always hope,

foreshadowing and other elements to
raise spirits periodically.

✦ 6. Tends toward fantasy and accepts

fanciful ideas without major concern of
reality. Wishful thinking is common.

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✦ 7. There is a tone of joy and innocence
associated with children, agricultural life,
closeness to nature and unquestionably
reliable friends.

✦ 8. Can have it both ways. Your cake and

eat it too. Dangerous world yet nieve
innocence children can roam through it.
Dangerous world out there and yet the
comforts of home. Grow up and remain
young. Complex yet simple.

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✦ 9. Is it or does it always have to be
didactic and teach a lesson or have
redeeming social qualities that have a
positive theme.

✦ A universal theme of home is boring, but

it is a better place to be than the
dangerous world outside.

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✦ 10. Includes repetition.

Often emphasizes what is important,

repetition is a common element of
traditional tales, folk tales, and fairy tales as
well as for literary purposes by repeating
words, phrases, situations, and patterns.

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✦ 11. Contrasts extremes.

The good and the bad. The ideal and the

practical, ideal family and the orphan, home
and wilderness or deep dark forest with all
kinds of evil. Group and family responsibility
and concern for yourself.

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✦ 12. Can it be children's literature if it was
written for adults and was adopted by
children?

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Thanks!
Any questions?

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