Description:

In this class we will examine children’s literature in order to explore both the binary narratives told to and through children and the ways in which moments in this literature disrupt those same binary narratives.   Focusing on American history and  children’s literature in America we will think about how the binary narratives we tell to and through children shape the narratives we understand about nations, adults, and free citizens.  Students in  this course will be responsible for the readings, regular posts, two short papers, and a final group project.

For a visual breakdown of the structure of the class, look at the first day of class PowerPointStructure of Children’s Lit

Required Text:

Many of the texts for this class is out of copyright, which means that you can get it for free.  I will often include a link to a free version of this text on the course schedule.   However as we get towards the end of the semester and to the more contemporary texts, you will need to purchase some of the copyrighted texts.   The texts you will need to purchase or check out from a library are (many of these books will be available at any nypl with a decent collection of children’s books):

Margaret and H.A. Rey, Cecily G. and the Nine Monkeys

Margaret and H.A. Rey, Curious George  (the 1941 first text)

Margaret and H.A. Rey, Curious Georges Takes a Job

Jean de Brunhoff, The Story of Babar: The Little Elephant

Maurice Sendak, Where the Wild Things Are

J.K. Rowling, Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban