A few definitions will help outline the scope of this book. You might think children’s
literature could be easily defined as “books for kids.” However, there are many different
definitions of children’s literature and even varying definitions for literature
and children!
What is literature? Are all books literature? Are only stories considered literature?
One definition of literature requires that the work be of good quality (Hillman,
2002). Hillman describes some signs of poor quality—stodgy writing with plots that
are too predictable, too illogical, or too didactic. However, there is little agreement
on what constitutes good quality. For example, the first time I taught an undergraduate
multicultural literature course, I assigned Ishi, Last of His Tribe (Kroeber) for
the biography reading. I selected it because the book had affected me deeply, moving
me to tears when the last members of Ishi’s family died. However, my students were
nearly unanimous in their reaction to the book: “It stinks!” I learned that quality is
in the eyes of the beholder.
I consider all books written for children to be literature—excluding works such
as joke books, cartoon books, and nonfiction works that are not intended to be read