In this insightful and engaging work of original scholarship, Griswold, director of the National Center for the Study of Children's Literature and a professor of English and comparative literature at San Diego State University, persuasively argues that "five themes recur in classic and popular works of children's literature." Using examples from classic children's books, he identifies these themes as snugness, scariness, smallness, lightness, and aliveness, and he goes on to demonstrate convincingly, in the same context, that "Children's literature provides a good place for the study of childhood." Though published for an academic readership, this slender work of synthesis is so lively and so engagingly written that it will appeal to and engage the imaginations of all readers who have even a passing interest in the literature of childhood. Indeed, Griswold's invocation of a quote from travel writer Jan Morris on Wales--"Its smallness is not petty; on the contrary, it is profound"--might well be applied to Griswold's own work.
Michael CartCopyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved
Review
Insightful and engaging work of original scholarship... so lively and so engagingly written that it will appeal to and engage the imaginations of all readers who have even a passing interest in the literature of childhood.
(
Booklist 2006)
Written in the crisp, bright manner of a yet-to-be-disillusioned graduate student happening upon an exciting new subject for the first time, combined with the sage irony and impeccable background of a full-fledged academic expert.
(
Rain Taxi 2006)
Each chapter sheds light on childhood in general; taken as a whole the book effectively contrasts how children and adults experience the world in different ways.
(
Baltimore Magazine 2007)
A delight both to read and to hold in one's hand, this is a splendid book with beautiful binding, end papers, paper, cover, and typeface, and 30 illustrations reproduced in lavish color... Essential. All adult lovers and students of children's literature.
(
Choice 2007)
What is striking at first sight... is the beautiful production of the book as an artifact.
(Karin Lesnik-Oberstein
American Book Review 2007)
This is one of the most beautifully produced books on children's literature I have ever seen... it certainly raises a number of provocative issues in a delightful way.
(David Rudd
International Research Society for Children's Literature 2007)
Beautifully illustrated.
(
Bookbird: A Journal of International Children's Literature 2007)
A visually sumptuous book, stunningly appointed and lovely to behold, one that is well-designed for its intended reading audience: the general public.
(Roberta Seelinger Trites
Children's Literature Association Quarterly 2007)
Griswold clearly knows how to 'feel like a kid,' and his analysis of why certain classics have appealed to thousands of children over the years is original and convincing.
(Alison Lurie, Pulitzer Prize–winning novelist and critic )
Griswold is witty and wise in Feeling Like a Kid. He ranges widely over the field of children's literature and offers telling insights.
(Beverly Lyons Clark, author of
Kiddie Lit )
