Issues and Trends in Children's Literature

I recently had the wonderful opportunity to meet with a local elementary school librarian to talk about what she thinks the trends and issues of children’s literature today are.  Here’s a run-down of our interview:

Issue and Trend Librarian Interview

1.       1. What would you say are the biggest issues in children’s literature today?

I think one of the biggest issues in children’s literature today is the need for greater parental involvement to encourage kids to be strong readers and limit their children’s screen and media time.  It seems there is a technology divide between books and the media and as a librarian we are trying to bridge the gap by including more technology into our libraries.   This might require more funding, which again might require some parental involvement.   We are trying to be relevant with the changing times.

2.       2. How might these issues affect the classroom?

If students do not have the desire to read, they will not be as successful in the classroom.   If they do not practice reading, it may be more labored and difficult for them.  Reading is an essential part of learning and life so if they aren’t getting enough reading time in, it will definitely have a negative effect on the classroom.

3.       3. What do you think are contributing to these issues?

I think a lot of the issue would be perhaps coming from too much screen time at home.  If children receive too much TV time and not enough reading, it really limits them to what their brains are capable of doing.   Reading on the other hand can help open the mind, and build their thinking skills and cause them to think at a deeper level than watching TV or playing computer games will.

4.     4.   What trends have you noticed in children’s literature?

From the beginning, books have been written to help students with issues and topics heavy on society today.  Right now we are seeing an increase of books which are written with the focus being on bullying, multicultural backgrounds and acceptance, and how to be a friend.  Books are addressing topics such as ‘ways to peacefully (and non-violently) end conflicts,’ and heightening awareness of their feelings and the feelings of others.  There are books being written to help students cope with death and divorce, and to cope with sensitive issues arising within families too.  Books can be a great way for students to learn to cope and identify their feelings and how to deal with them.

5.       5. How might these trends affect the classroom?

When students can personally relate with books, they will have more of a desire to engage themselves in reading and learning.   If they enjoy the subject in a book, the willingness to read is not such a chore.  It can be fun and exciting!

6.      6.  What do you think are contributing to these trends?

It mostly has to do with the things that matter or are a concern to kids today.   What books do kids need?  What topics would help a child?  Things like that.   Books are always changing with the times.  A lot of kids are responding to silly books with a lot of humor in them, and so naturally more books with this included are coming out. 

7.     7.   How can books be used to help children with their issues?

I think these trends can help students within the classroom because they can identify with the characters they are reading about.  They can learn how to manage stress, how to interact with others, and how to work through some of the feelings they might be having. 

8   8. How would you say these issues and trends differ from years past? 

9.   9.  How do you think these issues and trends will change in the future?

In the past, we saw books being written for the times they were going through.  In the future – the sky is the limit of what they might need books written for and about.  I think it’s important to link the past and the future together and appreciate what they all have to offer.   Many classic books written in the 1900’s such as Call of the Wild, and The Wizard of Oz, can still be enjoyed and relevant today. 

10.  Any other thoughts or comments about the trends and issues affecting children’s literature?

Not really, I just hope that children will continue reading and that parent’s will always be active members to their children’s learning.  As it’s always said, the love of reading begins at home and if parents read to their children they are more likely to love to read in the future.