Children's literature and British identity : imagining a people and a nation / Rebecca Knuth

Analyzing the works of a myriad British authors including J.M. Barrie, Lewis Carroll, Charles Dickens, and J.K Rowling, Knuth (LIS professor at the University of Hawaii) explores the impact of children's literature on the shaping of a national identity and how children's books act to normalize social mores and foster national unity. Her research covers nearly two and half centuries of British literature and history, from the beginnings of books published especially for young people in the eighteenth century to modern Harry Potter phenomenon. An extensive bibliography and index are both provided. KQG

Includes bibliographical references and index.

Introduction -- Creating 'good' children -- Socialization: duty and self-sacrifice -- Creating manliness and the boy hero -- Romanticizing childhood and England -- Being playful and emotionally alive -- Small adventures and happiness -- Autonomy and affirmation -- Into the story-pot: Harry and heroism -- A modern English folklore