Description
Book SynopsisAll too often, attention is paid only to those children''s novels that were written in English, with non-English-language works being passed over and neglected. Beyond Babar: The European Tradition in Children''s Literature examines eleven of the most celebrated European children''s novels in substantial, critical essays written by well-known international scholars. This approach provides a comprehensive discussion of the selected works from a variety of theoretical perspectives. Each essay offers a critical introduction to the text that can serve as a point of departure for literary scholars, professors of children''s literature, primary and secondary school teachers, and librarians who are interested in texts that cross languages and cultures. Beyond Babar is especially meant to assist instructors of children''s literature who would like to use these texts in the classroom, in order to begin to redress the English-language dominance of many children''s literature courses. This volume
Trade Review...essential background reading for librarians and teachers who seek to promote international understanding through children's books. * School Library Journal, February 2007 *
...a top pick for children's librarians or any teacher or parent regularly working with kids....A top pick, especially for college-level children's literature studies collections. * The Bookwatch, February 2007 *
Highly recommended. * CHOICE, Vol. 44, No. 09 (May 2007) *
Beyond Babar is meant to be used as a text in college courses in children's literature, but with its thoughtful, engaging essays, blessedly free of academic jargon, it should have an appeal far beyond that. * Green Man Review *
Providing valuable insights into landmark works of European children's literature, this volume will prove a valuable source for scholars, teachers, and librarians. * Bookbird: A Journal of International Children's Literature, Vol. 45, No. 4, 2007 *
Beckett (modern languages, literature, and culture, Brock U., Canada) and Nikolajeva (comparative literature, Stockholm U.) present this collection of 12 essays with the intention of expanding the canon of commonlystudied European children's literature to include 11 notable non-English language novels. Of interest primarily to literary scholars and professors of children's literature, and secondarily to librarians and teachers, the essays offer a variety of theoretical perspectives on children's novels from Poland, Norway, France, Italy, Sweden, Germany, Belgium, and Denmark. The texts discussed include the Pippi Longstocking series, The Little Prince, The Neverending Story, and the novel-cum-introduction to philosophy's history Sophie's World. In the concluding essay, Nikolajeva discusses approaches, challenges, and lessons of translation into English. * Reference and Research Book News *
Table of ContentsPart 1 Introduction Chapter 2 1. Earth Hanging in Infinity: Janusz Korczak's King Matt the First Chapter 3 2. The Taming of the Two: Antoine de Saint-Exupéry's Little Prince Chapter 4 3. A Misunderstood Tragedy: Astrid Lindgren's Pippi Longstocking Books Chapter 5 4. Creating the Eternal Farewell: Tove Jansson's Moomin Novels Chapter 6 5. Blue Train, Red Flag, Rainbow World: Gianni Rodari's The Befana's Toyshop Chapter 7 6. Modernism for Children? Cecil Bødker's Silas and the Black Mare Chapter 8 7. Michel Tournier Retells the Robinson Crusoe Myth: Friday and Robinson: Life on Speranza Island Chapter 9 8. About a Factory-Made Boy: Christine Nöstlinger's Story about Conrad Chapter 10 9. A Neverending Success Story? Michael Ende's Return Trip to Fantastica Chapter 11 10. "We Were a Pair": Peter Pohl's Johnny, My Friend Chapter 12 11. Philosophical Homework or Universal Amazement? Jostein Gaarder's Sophie's World Chapter 13 12. What Do We Translate When We Translate Children's Literature? Part 14 Bibliography Part 15 Index Part 16 About the Contributors
