THE PERIOD OF DEVELOPMENT
OF CHILDREN AND
ADOLESCENT LITERATURE
CLASSICAL PERIOD
▪ All literary works began with the use of ancient oral story telling. People began to tell
stories to comfort each other, establish relationships, and entertain or reach their young
ones. They also tell stories to introduce their religion tradition, culture, and values.
▪ The classical period can be traced from 500 BC p 400 AD. During this time, most of the
children literature was also told by adults. Children heard similar stories as adults did.
Children grew up with the stories of the adventures of Hercules, Aesop's fables,
Homer's "Iliad and Odyssey, Ovid's metamorphosis, and the story of gods and
goddesses or the creation of the world.
▪ The known literature during the classical period is of Greek and Roman origins, such as
myths and epics. The literary works during the classical period are characterized as
subtle in thought. They use direct expressions, adhere to for, Portray archetypal
characters, carry a moral message. Most of the classic literary writers focused on
showing truth and beauty.
Classical Period
▪ Literary works during the classical period share common elements.
▪ These include memorable characters and distinct protagonists with notable
characteristics. Most themes explore human experiences and depict human
conditions and the forces around them.
▪ the writing styles include figurative languages such as metaphors, symbolism,
hyperbole, simile, personification, irony, and juxtaposition.
Medieval Period
▪ During the medieval period or middle-ages, literature is characterized as religious and
highly biblical or romantic, with embedded realism and fantasy. People used stories
for teaching morals to children.
▪ The period started from 478 AD, the time when the Roman Empire fell and European
civilization weakened
▪ It stretched to the beginning of the 14' century.
▪ Religion was a huge influence in terms of education during the middle-ages due to the
domination and influence of the Roman Catholic Church. Biblical stories, such as the
stories of saints, were popular to teach children.
▪ Among the known stories based on oral traditions are the story of "Noah" and the
great flood, "Cain and Abel," "Adam and Eve," and the "Tower of Babel"
Medieval Period
▪Since books were expensive, oral tradition or oral storytelling was used as and
different poems to amuse people.
▪The tale of the mode for entertainment. Storytellers and wandering entertainers
recited stories "King Arthur and the Knights of the Round Table" fascinated
children and adults alike.
▪The heroic stories of "Roland" from France and "Cid" from Spain were
widespread. "Beowulf' and his opponent Grendel, the beast, were two of the
prominent characters during the medieval period.
Renaissance Period
▪ The renaissance period marked the new era in Europe around 1400 to 1700 or during
the 14' to 16 century. It was the time when new ideas were formed. Roman and Greek
literature were reintroduced.
▪ Johannes Gutenberg discovered the printing press, an idea which came from China.
This allowed the multiple productions of books and spread information easily during
the renaissance period.
▪ Educational books were also first printed, and most of the books were made for
younger readers. Sir Thomas Elyot produced "The Book Named the Governor" in
1531. Roger Ascham printed The Scholemaster" in 1570, a book on courtesy. This
book emphasized the proper manners and behavior for young boys. The growing
numbers of Protestant members created religious conflict with the Roman Catholics.
This conflict and violent deaths were depicted in John Foxe's "Book of Martyrs.".
The 18 Century th
▪ During the early 18th century, books were produced to teach children or emphasize
morals. Instructions were devoted to religious pursuits. The Augustinian philosophy had
a great influence on teaching children
▪ Instructions were based on different philosophies; intellectual development was given a
premium, Children's minds were believed to be blank slates, as John Locke explained in
his essay.
▪ In this idea, children were believed to have an equal opportunity to learn. Adults could
imprint in the children's minds, and if best educated, children could grow into intelligent,
highly independent individuals. Children are believed to be inherently good. Jean-
Jacques Rousseau advocated the importance of living life with simplicity. He also
propelled didactic writing for children. Moralistic tales were produced, John Newberry
wrote books that reflected the children's characteristics during the 18' century. He is
considered the Father of Children's Literature. His books include A Little Pretty Pocket-
Book, which is produced to teach and entertain children.
18 Century
th
▪ Folktales were revived during the 18' century. The "Tales of Mother Goose" was
introduced which was written by Charles Perrault of France in 1697 and translated
into English. Fairytales became popular such as the stories of "Sleeping Beauty,"
"Cinderella," Little Red Riding Hood," and many other fairy tales that are still popular
today. Mme. De Beaumont retold the popular fairy tale "Beauty and the Beast." The
Tales from the "Arabian Nights" that include "Aladdin and His Lamp" and "Sinbad the
Sailor" were published by Elizabeth Newberry in 1791. Hans Christian Anderson
wrote fairy tales that include the "The Princess and the Pea." «The Little Mermaid'.
"The Nightingale, "The Steadfast Soldiers "Emperor's New Clothes," "The Red
Shoes," «The Snow Queen." Thumbelina" and "The Ugly Duckling."
Victorian Age
▪ the Victorian Age was characterized as the rise of modern fantasy. The years 1837 to
1901 were considered the Golden Age of children's literature.
▪ In the middle and towards the second half of the Ig century, bol stories dominate
children's literature. Louis Stevenson wrote "Treasure Island Clemens "The
Adventures of Tom Sawyer" in 1876, and 1884 the "Adventures of Huckle Berry Finn.”
▪ Women writers Susan Warner wrote “The Wide, Wide World” in 1850 and Louissa
May Alcott produced the popular “Little Women” in 1868
▪ Frank Baum produced “The Wonderful Wizard of Oz” depicted the classic U.S.
modern fantasy for young readers in 1900.
Edwardian Era
▪ The Edwardian era occurred between 1901 to 1915, where the ideas of childhood
experienced a cultural change, which considered the idea that "a child is central to
childhood.
▪ " This became the defining mood of the period that dictated children's literature.
Children's literature became more subjective." The Tale of Peter Rabbit" written in
1901, "The Phoenix and the Carpet" in 1904, "The Railway Children" in 1906 were a
few of Beatrix Potter's literary pieces. The story of "Peter Pan," which was written by
J.M. Barrie was a popular piece during this period specified in 1904, and Kenneth
Grahame's "A Wind in the Willows" in 1908 made a mark.
20 Century
th
▪ The 20th century was considered the era of fantasy writing in children's literature due
to the emergence of many fantasy figures. This period was known for the production
of picture storybooks, the personification of toy animals.
▪ Hugh Lofting produced "The Story of Doctor Dolittle" in 1920, A.A. Milne wrote
"Winnie-the-Pooh" in 1926, which personified toy animal stories. Laura Ingalls also
wrote "Whose Little House in Big Woods in 1932.
▪ Further, P. L. Traver wrote "Mary Poppins" in 1943. The popularity of series books
rose during the 20th century such as "The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe" in 1950
by C.S. Lewis, "The Hobbit" by J.R.R. Tolkien, which became a prequel to his work of
art «The Lord of the Rings" which became a very successful movie. Classic adventure
"The Charlotte Web" by E.B. White, that featured a definitive animal fantasy was
produced.
Reference
Gonzales J.B., Baclayon J.C., Bustamante J.A. (2022). Children and
Adolescent Literature. Lorimar Publishing.
