History of Children’s Literature - EDU12HCLWeek 6 Lecture 2: History of Children’s Literature - EDU12HCL Week 6 Lecture 2 Children’s Poetry © La Trobe University, David Beagley, 2005 Of all the things I wish I were I wish I were a sparra …


References: References Hunt, P. (ed.) (2004) International Companion Encyclopedia of Children’s Literature, London: Routledge Chap.20: Iona Opie - “Playground Rhymes and oral tradition” Chap. 21: Andy Arleo - “Children’s rhymes and folklore” Chap. 30: Morag Styles - “Poetry” Lurie, A. (1990) Don’t tell the Grown-ups: subversive children’s literature. London: Bloomsbury Chap. 16: The folklore of childhood Turner, I. (1976) Cinderella dressed in yella, New York: Taplinger Factor, J. (1985) Far out, brussel sprout! Australian children’s chants and rhymes. Melbourne: Oxford University Press (also All right, Vegemite! and You beaut, Juicy Fruit!) Many works by Peter & Iona Opie on folklore, games and nursery rhymes


What is poetry?: What is poetry? What is it about poetry that causes such strong reactions to its literary concept? Two streams of creation: Poetry written FOR children Rhymes and games created BY children


What is poetry?: What is poetry? Form and structure Physical arrangement of the words: Sound: rhyme, alliteration, assonance, contrast, onomatopoeia (& free/blank verse - their absence) Rhythm: beat, metre Number: haiku, cinquain, sonnet, limerick Visual: acrostic, shape


What is poetry?: What is poetry? Literary devices Metaphor - using prior knowledge of one thing or idea to describe another: Metaphor - it is … Simile - it is like … (similar) Allusion - it is related/connected/suggests …


What is poetry?: What is poetry? A deliberate and controlled construction, aiming to utilise these techniques to enhance and intensify the standard use of words to communicate ideas, emotions, experiences and observations Trying to say as much as possible in the least possible words


Poetry by children: Poetry by children Rhymes and games created BY children Not necessarily written – created, adapted, copied, parodied, handed around in oral folklore tradition Use song and short forms, strong on traditional rhyme and rhythm to go with games and chanting Little subtlety, or complex structure Irreverence and parody are often key elements, though as much of the adult world as the child’s.


Poetry by children: Poetry by children Key aspects: Play Social interaction Irreverence and parody Exploration


Poetry by children: Poetry by children The poetry of play: Choosing and counting rhymes Rhythmic guides – skipping, clapping, dancing Word games : tongue twisters, puns, riddles Socialising: grouping, naming, role playing Thus, strong emphasis on rhythm, beat and repetition Sound is important: alliteration, onomatopoeia, chanting and group interplay


Poetry by children: Poetry by children The poetry of play: Topics for the word play: mimicking the adult world from childish misinterpretation through conscious exaggeration to targeted parody – keen sense of the ridiculous Pushing the boundaries of the acceptable – exploring the thrills of the naughty Establishing hierarchies and roles within the play group – in and out


Poetry by adults: Poetry by adults Poetry written FOR children Written by adults Thus, utilises adult structures and forms Thus, presents adult perceptions of the child’s world – what it is and what they think it should be Verse novels, narratives, descriptions Sophisticated structures – metaphor, allusion, formal structures such as free verse, complex rhyme and rhythm patterns


Poetry by adults: Poetry by adults Key aspects: Education – the didactic need Art – the formal creation Cultural transmission Mediation in anthologies For children, about children, about childhood Judgement


Poetry by adults – a history in stages: Poetry by adults – a history in stages 17th century: Saving the Soul of the Sinful Child Puritan idea that literature should save children’s souls by admonishing them to good Thus didactic and severe literature: morals, fables, lessons, hymns through 17th-18th centuries 1686 – John Bunyan – Divine emblems, Country rhimes for children 1715 - Isaac Watts - Divine Songs attempted in easy verse for children 1763 - Charles Wesley - Hymns for children Hark the Herald Angels sing, Gentle Jesus meek and mild


Poetry by adults – a history in stages: Poetry by adults – a history in stages 18th century: Chap and cheap, sensational and sold 1650 – Mother Goose appears as Rhymes of the Nursery, or Lulla-byes for children Through 1700s – jokes, ballads, heroic tales, rhymes and parodies in popular chapbooks Often cheap doggerel, current and sensational, reflecting the play and street rhymes 1744 – Newbery - Little Pretty Pocket Book, 1766 Goody Two Shoes bringing the two traditions (education & entertainment) together


Poetry by adults – a history in stages: Poetry by adults – a history in stages 19th century: Children are a world of their own 1789 – William Blake - Songs of Innocence and Experience Represents children and childhood as innocent, not sinful 1804 - Ann and Jane Taylor – Original poems for infant minds Twinkle, twinkle little star/How I wonder what you are 1807 – William Roscoe - The Butterfly’s Ball and Grasshopper’s Feast 1805 – Sarah Martin – The Comic adventures of Old Mother Hubbard and her dog 1826 – Felicia Hemans – Casabianca The boy stood on the burning deck … 1834 – Sara Coleridge – Pretty lessons in verse for good children 1834 – Mary Howitt - Sketches in Natural History Will you come into my parlour, said the spider to the fly


Poetry by adults – a history in stages: Poetry by adults – a history in stages Mid 19th century: Cradle songs and Mothering 1872 - Christina Rossetti - Sing Song – lullabies and cooing “love” poems The poetry is as much for the mother as the child - infant mortality rates, female role assertion etc. Often follow nursery rhyme patterns in simple forms, emphasis on sound and rhyme, brevity, etc. Nursery rhymes are composed poetry and often have a teaching aspect - number, sound, motor co-ordination – used by adults to children Yet, they have been “appropriated” by children into the folklore of play


Poetry by adults – a history in stages: Poetry by adults – a history in stages Mid 19th century: What Nonsense!! 1846 – Edward Lear – A book of nonsense and (1871) Nonsense Songs 1865 – Lewis Carroll – Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland and (1871) Through the looking glass Word play, irreverence, parody, twisted meanings, exaggeration, all the things that children put into their own play and rhyming


Poetry by adults – a history in stages: Poetry by adults – a history in stages Late 19th century: What a Problem!! Didactic Education + Childish Exaggeration = Cautionary Verse 1845 – Heinrich Hoffman - Struwwelpeter 1896 – Hillaire Belloc – The Bad Child’s Book of Beasts, (1897) More Beasts for Worse Children, (1907) Cautionary Tales for Children Tongue-in-cheek, over-the-top, extreme, even violent humour


Poetry by adults – a history in stages: Poetry by adults – a history in stages Early 20th century: The child’s view of life 1924 – AA Milne – When we were very young, (1927) Now we are six Simplicity, word play, explore identity Adults only present on the periphery of life, setting boundaries


Poetry by adults – a history in stages: Poetry by adults – a history in stages Later 20th century: Pick and choose Life: Ogden Nash, Ted Hughes, Michael Rosen, Allen Ahlberg Nonsense: Dr Suess, Spike Milligan, John Scieska Cautionary: Roald Dahl, Doug MacLeod Nursery rhyme: Pamela Allen, Elizabeth Honey, Lynley Dodd Verse novels – Steven Herrick, Margaret Wild – Jinx, Sharon Creech – Love that dog