Criteria of

Children’s
Literature
ELEMENTS
 SETTING
• The setting refers to the time, the geographical locations, and the general
environment and circumstances where the story occurs. The setting helps
to establish the mood of a story.
• Two types of setting:
Integral Setting: the setting is fully described in both time and place,
usually found in historical fiction.
Backdrop Setting: the setting is vague and general, which helps to convey
a universal, timeless tale. This type of setting is often found in folktales and
simply sets the stage and the mood. For example, "long ago in a cottage in
the deep woods" and "once upon a time there was a great land that had an
Emperor."
• Setting Comparison: Where I live vs. Story setting

Example: Snow White and Seven Dwarfts

Once upon a time in a land far, far away, there live a beautiful princess
named Snow White who lived in a magical castle with her mother and
father.
 THEMES
• The idea that holds the story together or the author’s message to the
reader. It is the main idea or the central meaning of the story
• Among the frequently found thematic issues in children’s literature
are the problems of growing up and maturing, such as adjustment to
society, love and friendship, achieving one’s identity, and finding one's
place in the world.
•  what does your main character learn, or how does she change in
the process of the story? In one or two words. That’s the theme.
• Family • Persistence
• Parents • Loneliness
• Grandparents • Bravery/Courage
• Siblings • Cooperation
• Friendship • Self-control
• Holidays • Kindness
• Imagination • Hope
• Honesty • Determination
• Faith • Acceptance
• Generosity • Hard work
• Growing up • Peace
• Compassion • Differences
• Equality • Loyalty
• Death • Taking a stand
• Fairness • Love
“.. a good book is one that at a particular moment caused them
to feel and to think. These experiences don’t end when the
book is returned to the shelf; rather, readers internalise them,
applying them to personal experiences and other reading
events.”

- Barone, 2010