This thesis explores how Anna Letitia Barbauld's book Lessons for Children Aged Two to Three Years (1778) facilitated the development of the conversational primer. This genre, which has not yet been theorised, may be identified by the way the texts present themselves as verisimilar and replicable sets of conversations, and depict parent-teachers and child-pupils as companions. This genre challenges the idea that there is a dichotomy between 'adult' and 'child' readers, a concept that inflects many contemporary approaches to children's literature studies. Through a close reading of Lessons for Children and subsequent conversational primers, this thesis suggests that Barbauld's Rational Dissenting value of discursive diversity influenced British middle-class children's culture, enabling the voices of verisimilar children to proliferate children's books on a previously unknown scale. The Introduction establishes ways in which concepts of child-parent relationships were used as paradigms for understanding modes of government in eighteenth-century Britain. Chapter One examines how children's books prior to Lessons for Children addressed different types of implied child readers with the aim of producing members of an ideal society. Chapter Two explores how Barbauld created a space in which parents could participate in the children's literature market through her introduction of the parent-author as a literary trope, her portrayals of verisimilar mother-child interactions in accessible, domestic spaces. Chapter Three charts how Lessons for Children became the prototype from which subsequent conversational primers drew their literary identity. The fourth chapter contextualises Lessons for Children as an expression of Barbauld's Rational Dissent, and posits that the rise of the conversational primer is indicative of the influence of Rational Dissenting values upon British middle-class children's culture. Chapter Five contrasts the afterlife of the conversational primer with children's books that generated readers' imaginative identification with characters. This comparison suggests that conversational primers encapsulated middle-class Georgian ideals regarding familial learning; an historical specificity that is, in part, responsible for the genre's popular demise. This thesis studies the lifecycle of the conversational primer in the British children's literature market. It examines the porousness between paratextual materials and texts, and shows how an individual author stimulated generic development by popularising specific literary tropes. By theorising the genre of the conversational primer, this study provides a new and productive discourse concerning adult-child interactions in children's literature.

Orientador: João Luís Cardoso Tápias Ceccantini / Banca: Márcio Roberto do Prado / Banca: José Nicolau Gregorin Filho / Resumo: Esta dissertação busca traçar um panorama e as fases inicial (1976-1982) e principal (1982- 1987) do livro-jogo, RPG voltado para jogadores únicos e autossuficiente, ainda inexistente em livros teóricos ou estudos mais profundos sobre esse gênero. Para isso, no primeiro capítulo, são abordados os conceitos de RPG, aventura-solo e livro-jogo, bem como uma comparação entre si sem esgotar e delimitar esse assunto. No segundo capítulo são analisados os livros-jogo brasileiros consequentes da produção britânica, não em profundidade, mas como peças panorâmicas de um sistema ainda em construção. No terceiro capítulo são examinados os sistemas de RPGs e suas aventuras-solo (Tunnels & Trolls e The Fantasy Trip) que inspiraram e/ou esboçaram o que foi (e ainda é) o livro-jogo, constituindo seu período de formação. No quarto capítulo é explicada a série de livros interativos que também ajudou a formar o livrojogo ao lado dos livretos de aventura-solo, a Choose Your Own Adventure. No quinto capítulo é abordado o livro-jogo finalmente consolidado e reconhecido como tal (série Fighting Fantasy), conhecendo seus autores, obras mais relevantes, além de outras séries que também mereceram atenção por suas especificidades como Sorcery!, Lone Wolf, The Way of the Tiger e o periódico Warlock, importante mídia a disseminar o livro-jogo no mercado editorial mundial. No sexto e último capítulo são abordados os motivos do retraimento do livro-jogo no mercado e sua ressurgência. Também procura-se discutir as consequências desse fenômeno e indagar sobre o que se pode esperar para seu futuro / Abstract: This dissertation seeks to outline a panorama and gamebook's initial (1976-1982) and main (1982-1987) phases, RPG aimed at unique and self-sufficient players, still nonexistent in theoretical books or deeper studies on this genre. For this, in the first chapter, the concepts of RPG, solo adventure and gamebook are approached, as well as a comparison among themselves without exhausting and delimiting this subject. In the second chapter the Brazilian gamebooks as a result of the British production are analyzed, not in depth, but as panoramic pieces of a system still under construction. In the third chapter, RPG systems and their solo adventures (Tunnels & Trolls and The Fantasy Trip), inspiring and / or sketching what was (and still is) the gamebook are examined, constituting its period of formation. In the fourth chapter the series of interactive books that also helped form the gamebook alongside the solo adventure booklets, Choose Your Own Adventure, is discussed. In the fifth chapter the gamebook finally consolidated and recognized as such (Fighting Fantasy series), knowing its authors, more relevant works, besides other series that also deserved attention for its specificities like Sorcery!, Lone Wolf, The Way of the Tiger and the periodical Warlock, important media to spread the gamebook in the world-wide publishing market are discussed. In the sixth and final chapter the gamebook withdrawal's motives in the book market and its resurgence are analyzed. It also seeks to discuss the consequences of the gamebook phenomenon and to inquire about what can be expected for its future / Mestre

Esta pesquisa visa contribuir com o ensino da Literatura Infantil em sala de aula no Ensino Fundamental I, considerando importante o papel do professor como mediador entre a criança e a obra literária. Com o objetivo de propiciar aos educadores um aprofundamento do conhecimento sobre a Literatura Infantil e do trabalho a ser realizado no contexto educacional de ensino, ressaltamos nessa literatura seu potencial formativo junto às crianças. Destacamos alguns possíveis critérios para escolha de obras infantis a serem trabalhadas em sala de aula que satisfaçam as exigências essenciais para serem consideradas Literatura para crianças e estejam adequadas aos propósitos de ensino e às possibilidades cognitivas dos alunos. Para tanto, selecionamos para análise 34 obras de 3 períodos distintos (Clássico, Tradicional e Contemporâneo), das quais 9 histórias foram tomadas para exploração das propriedades formativas do texto que apresentam nitidamente as características dos períodos em que se encontram. Consideramos importante apresentar, também, sugestões de propostas pedagógicas que abram caminhos aos docentes para viabilizar trabalhos que possibilitem a decodificação de metáforas contidas no texto e a transposição de seus significados para a vida e experiência dos alunos, impulsionando neles o imaginário e a criatividade. Para isso, precisamos nos debruçar sobre duas questões relevantes que, hoje, se colocam: a ausência da concepção de Literatura Infantil e da Literatura Infantil como campo de conhecimento nos documentos oficiais que orientam a Educação Brasileira. / The present research aims at contributing to the Children\'s Literature in Grade School, considering the teacher\'s important role as the mediator between the child and the literary work. With the purpose of helping educators to deepen their knowledge on Children\'s Literature and on the work to be accomplished in the teaching educational context, we emphasize literature\'s formative potential for children. We highlight some possible criteria for choosing children\'s books to be worked in the classroom that meet the essential demands in order to be considered Children\'s Literature and that are adequate for teaching purposes and for the students? cognitive possibilities. With that in mind, we have selected for analysis 34 works from three distinct periods (Classic, Traditional and Contemporary). Nine stories were taken to explore the text\'s formative attributes that clearly show the features of the periods they belong to. We also find it important to bring suggestions of pedagogical proposals that open paths for the teachers to produce works that enable the decoding of metaphors found in the text and the transposition of their meanings to the students\' life and experience, stimulating imaginary thought and creativity in them. To do so, we must analyse two relevant matters today: the lack of a conception of Children\'s Literature and Children\'s Literature as a field of knowledge in the official documents guiding the Brazilian education.

Este estudo discute a produção de culturas infantis a partir do contato das crianças com literatura infantil e com os livros como objetos culturais no contexto escolar. Para tanto, foi realizada uma pesquisa com abordagem etnográfica, por meio do acompanhamento de um grupo de crianças do primeiro ano do ensino fundamental numa escola municipal da cidade de São Paulo, em 2010. Considerando a entrada de crianças de seis anos no 1º ano e não mais na educação infantil, a ampliação de duração do ensino fundamental (pelas Leis federais no. 11.114/05 e no. 11.274/06, respectivamente) e as políticas públicas federais e municipais de incentivo à leitura literária e de acesso aos livros, procurou-se verificar como se dá a produção de culturas infantis nas relações sociais e por meio da relação com a literatura infantil, os livros e suas vidas. Além do registro em diário de campo a partir das observações do cotidiano do grupo, outro instrumento utilizado para obtenção dos dados foi a realização de entrevistas coletivas com grupos de crianças. Parte-se dos pressupostos teóricos da Sociologia da Infância, dos estudos interpretativos da infância, da competência das crianças e da metodologia da pesquisa com crianças. A análise dos dados obtidos permite afirmar que as crianças produzem culturas nas relações entre pares por meio da relação direta da literatura com suas vidas, da comparação entre histórias por meio de aspectos literários, da criação de novos estatutos para as ilustrações presentes na literatura infantil e das brincadeiras com a linguagem. Além disso, as crianças se relacionam com os livros como artefatos culturais, quando eles passam a ser objetos de disputa, de conflito e negociação. Os dados revelaram também que a organização do espaço e a rotina para o acesso aos livros na escola são feitas e controladas por adultos, o que pode limitar a livre iniciativa das crianças. Parece ser possível afirmar que, ainda assim, as crianças criam estratégias de compartilhamento dos livros, vivem conflitos e criam seus próprios critérios de escolha, compreendendo melhor os papéis sociais vivenciados nestas situações. / This study discusses the production of childrens cultures from their contact with children\'s literature books as cultural objects in the school context. For this purpose, a research was conducted with an ethnographic approach within a group of children in the first year of elementary school in a public school in São Paulo in 2010. Considering the entry of six years old children at the 1st year instead of in the early childhood education, the enlargement of elementary schools duration (by federal laws. 11.114/05 and. 11.274/06, respectively) and the federal and municipal public policies to encourage literary reading and access to books, this research has aimed to understand the production of children\'s culture and social relations through the relationship with children\'s literature, books and their lives. In addition to the field diary observations of everyday life of the group, another tool used for data collection was collective interviews with groups of children. It starts with the theoretical assumptions of the Sociology of Childhood, interpretive studies of childhood, the competence of children and research methodology with children. The analysis of data suggests that children produce culture in peer relations through the direct relationship between literature and their lives, through comparing stories based on literary aspects, by creating new statutes for the illustrations in children\'s literature and by language games. Moreover, children relate to books as artifacts, when they become objects of contention, conflict and negotiation. The data also revealed that the organization of space and routine access to books in school are made and controlled by adults, which may limit childrens free initiative. Despite that it seems possible to say that children create strategies for sharing books, living conflicts and create their own selection criteria, including better social roles experienced in these situations.

I will interpret a horror genre within the literature determined for children. In particular, I will focus on horror and fantastic stories written by Anthony Horowitz. However, the theoretical part of my diploma thesis will deal with basic description of horror literature development then also with a picture of a child in horror literature and finally with the biography of Antony Horowitz. The next practical chapters will focus on analysis of horror elements in Horowitz' stories. Finally I will analyse the role of the heroes in Horowitz' stories with the connection on theoretical part. The diploma thesis will mainly be based on the collection of short stories called Horowitz Horror and other two books called Groosham Grange and Return to Groosham Grange.

Abstract not available

The novel Bifocal, a fictional young adult novel that examines the racist backlash that occurs at a high school after a male Muslim student is arrested on terrorism charges, was published in 2007 and has received wide critical acclaim for its portrayal of issues of racism. Working from an anti-racist framework, this research interviews two teachers who have used the novel in their classrooms, and considers the value and limitations of the book as an anti-racist teaching tool. Through discussions about specific themes in the novel and its overall presentation of racism, I argue that, while Bifocal presents some useful interventions, it also reflects a simplistic and individualistic perspective on racism and how racism can be addressed. I also examine the ways that Bifocal – and young adult literature in general – can be read in order to encourage more critical discussions about systems of racism and privilege.

University of Macau / Faculty of Social Sciences and Humanities / Department of English

The novel Bifocal, a fictional young adult novel that examines the racist backlash that occurs at a high school after a male Muslim student is arrested on terrorism charges, was published in 2007 and has received wide critical acclaim for its portrayal of issues of racism. Working from an anti-racist framework, this research interviews two teachers who have used the novel in their classrooms, and considers the value and limitations of the book as an anti-racist teaching tool. Through discussions about specific themes in the novel and its overall presentation of racism, I argue that, while Bifocal presents some useful interventions, it also reflects a simplistic and individualistic perspective on racism and how racism can be addressed. I also examine the ways that Bifocal – and young adult literature in general – can be read in order to encourage more critical discussions about systems of racism and privilege.

With the increasing number of adoptees in Sweden, so has the amount of literature regarding different aspects of adoption. The aim of this study is to explore the construction of adoptees in children's literature. It takes on a social constructionism view, by regarding language as a narrative tool in which human beings construct versions of different phenomenon. By exploring the different discourses in the data within the context adoption, we can identify different versions of "the adopted child" and their needs as it is constructed in the literature. Also, by putting them in a bigger context, we are allowed to see the social structures and the discursive conditions that allow a certain child perspective of "the adopted child" to take place. Therefore, this study also explores aspects and discourses within the context adoption such as ethnicity, race and adoptees relations to the past.