The Cambridge Guide to Children's Books in English

The Cambridge Guide to Children''s Books is an alphabetized reference work providing a critical and appreciative overview of children''s books written in English worldwide. It is not a guide to children''s literature but has a wider task--to include any author or illustrator or work believed by the editors to have made a significant impact on young readers or to have in some way influenced the development of children''s books. In addition to the long-established traditions of children''s writing from Great Britain and the USA the Guide covers the increasing range of successful children''s books produced in Canada Australia New Zealand West Africa and India; and the exciting renaissance in children''s books currently taking place in Ireland and South Africa. Reflecting the developing scholarly appreciation for the history of children''s books The Guide gives due weight to children''s books from pre-Norman times and acknowledges recent developments in publishing practices and in children''s own reading. Victor Watson is Assistant Director of Research Homerton College University of Cambridge. He has edited several volumes about children''s literature including Opening the Nursery Door (Routledge 1997) and Where Texts and Children Meet (Routledge 2000).