Carnegie and Greenaway

Around  50 nominations each for the Carnegie 2010 and Greenaway 2010 awards. Judging only by  the fact that I recognise many of the authors and illustrators as well-established names, and that they are in competition on such substantial lists, these will be competitions of great quality.

I have just read one of the nominations – Pratchett’s Nation – and loved it. It might make an interesting comparison with Treasure Island: it has a deserted treasure island and a young male hero, but just about everything else is turned on its head.

Coincidentally I’ve also just read Michael Lockwood’s article ‘The Development of a Children’s Poet’ (needs OU login; link also on our course wiki) on Ted Hughes’s poetry for children.  There are some stunning poems quoted in the article: I had no idea that Hughes was such a prolific writer for children.

We know on this course that literary quality is not the only dimension of interest in children’s literature ; but what a lot  to enjoy. Now, if someone would please give me purchasing power?

Christmas shopping

If you haven’t voted on my little sidebar poll, please do. I’m getting the message that quite a lot of students are checking in here.

Sorry about the post title (me, I’ll just be doing vouchers) but Hallowe’en is over and the Christmas advertising has started. Will you be  buying books for children?

Oops, I need to deconstruct that phrase! Does it mean

• buying  ‘books for children’ or
• ‘buying books’ for children or even
• ‘buying “books for children” for children’?

Oh dear, I think the course is getting to me.

Anyway, is your buying likely to be affected by your studies?  Is the course getting to you?

• Have you been put off by Thomas the Tank Engine and his sexist and classist environment?
• Will you ever look at ‘Little Red Riding Hood’ in the same way again?
• Do you have doubts about imposing authors’  ideologies on your nearest and dearest?

For a real sideways look at an apparently very simple children’s picture book, take yourself off here and read the funny (or is it tragic?)   ‘The Construction of Meaning and the Self De(con)struction of Identity: A Hippo-Critical Analysis of Jeff Newman’s Hippo! No, Rhino!’  At a stretch, you might even find some ideologies there that you can wield in your next assignment.