The last thirty years have witnessed one of the most fertile periods in
the history of children's books: the flowering of imaginative
illustration and writing, the Harry Potter phenomenon, the rise of young
adult and crossover fiction, and books that tackle extraordinarily
difficult subjects. The Oxford Companion to Children's Literature
provides an indispensable and fascinating reference guide to the world
of children's literature. Its 3,500 entries cover every genre from fairy
tales to chapbooks; school stories to science fiction; comics to
children's hymns.
Originally published in 1983, the Companion has been comprehensively
revised and updated by Daniel Hahn. Over 900 new entries bring the book
right up to date. A whole generation of new authors and illustrators are
showcased, with books like Dogger, The Hunger Games, and Twilight
making their first appearance. There are articles on developments such
as manga, fan fiction, and non-print publishing, and there is additional
information on prizes and prizewinners.
This accessible A to Z is the first place to look for information about
the authors, illustrators, printers, publishers, educationalists, and
others who have influenced the development of children's literature, as
well as the stories and characters at their centre. Written both to
entertain and to instruct, the highly acclaimed Oxford Companion to
Children's Literature is a reference work that no one interested in the
world of children's books should be without.
