The World of Children's Books

• • What is ‘children’s literature’ and ‘writing for young people’?
  • The history of children’s literature and the idea of childhood
  • The craft of writing for children
  • Words and images: The Picture Book
  • Teaching children’s literature
  • Children’s literature and the moral imagination
  • Diversity in children’s literature
  • Young adult fiction

No eligibility requirements

Special requirements

No special requirements

Are you an aspiring teacher, librarian, writer or publishing professional? Or are you just fascinated by writing for young people? This subject explores the diverse and challenging world of writing for children and young adults. Through a variety of genres—such as picture books, graphic and prose novels, and short stories—you will investigate how books for young people deal with the big themes of growing up and living in a changing and challenging world.

This unit examines:

• Different perspectives on the values and challenges of books for young people
• The distinctive logics and practices of creative writing for young people
• Current themes and debates in the study of children’s literature

Through weekly writing exercises and extended research and analytical projects, you will learn what it takes to publish, write, and critique works for young audiences.

• Weekly Writing Activities (30%%)
• Discussion Board Posts (20%%)
• Research Essay (50%%)