Writing books for children might seem like an exceptionally easy task since children have a limited vocabulary and do not require ideas of the same level of complexity as adults. However, given the importance of using literature to foster children’s cognitive development, the creation of a book for children becomes a rather complicated process. In the first chapter of her book “Children’s Literature,” Charlotte Huck outlines the essentials of what children’s literature is and how to write books that children will find engaging and that will encourage children’s cognitive development. Pointing to the changes that have occurred to children’s literature over the past several decades, Huck’s idea of children’s literature as the reading that stimulates critical thinking while also appealing to emotions is tremendously useful for creating the books that will help children to develop essential skill and using them in their lives.
The notion of children’s literature is also a rather convoluted one. Huck defines the subject matter as the material that appeals to children emotionally and encourages them to think critically, also warning that the books written about children are not always intended for them. Distinguishing between the personal and educational value of a book, Huck develops a framework for a perfect children’s book. Namely, the one that combines emotional appeal and educational value. Additionally, Huck details the necessity to create coherent settings, characters, plot, theme, and style in order to keep the reader invested. What makes Huck’s work particularly important is her explaining that the specified items do not have to be complex for a children’s book to be good; instead, they need to make sense and represent the connective tissue for the book. Thus, the understanding of the needs of young readers, particularly the fact that they also require intelligent and compelling stories, is especially valuable since children’s literature is often taken for granted. Proving that children’s literature should not be seen as second-rate books but, instead, should represent outstanding writing, Huck creates premises for early childhood education.
By conducting an analysis of the changes that children’s literature has experienced over the past couple of decades, Huck summarizes the quintessential qualities of a children’s book, communicating the importance of building critical thinking and emotional intelligence. Thus, Huck’s chapter on children’s literature, its origin, and recent development shows a profound understanding of the purpose of reading for children. Therefore, Huck offers crucial guidelines for children’s literature writers.
Work Cited
Huck, Charlotte. Knowing Children’s Literature. McGraw-Hill, 2007.