The Oxford companion to children's literature /

This update to the venerable Oxford Companion to Children's Literature by Humphrey Carpenter and Mari Prichard (1984) reflects the changing landscape of children's literature. Some 900 entries, including one on fan fiction and another on J. K. Rowling, have been added, while a few of the older treatments (e.g., comics) have been lengthened. Although some topics have been cut altogether, most of the new material is accommodated by the increased page count (growing from the first edition's 586 pages to the present length) and by cuts within existing entries, most of which are hardly discernible. Unlike the 1984 version, this edition has no illustrations, but it does offer an appendix listing award winners. As before, entry lengths range from a sentence to a few pages. Although there are more children's literature reference works available today than there were three decades ago, this source still compares favorably to those others. Its value endures partly because it fills the need for a single-volume source that offers very focused, succinct entries--as opposed to longer-format works such as Jack Zipes's four-volume Oxford Encyclopedia of Children's Literature (CH, Nov'06, 44-1265). At the same time, the older edition differs enough from this new one to argue that it may be worth retaining both. A basic work for students and scholars as well as care givers and professionals who wish to keep up with developments in literature for children. Summing Up: Recommended. All libraries. All levels. --Jen Stevens, George Mason University

The second edition of this classic reference title for librarians and educators provides 3,500 entries covering all genres of children's literature by authors and illustrators from North America, Australia, New Zealand, Ireland, and the UK and non-English-language authors translated into English (e.g., Cornelia Funke). The 900 new entries include authors, such as Philip Pullman, Lemony Snicket, and Jacqueline Wilson, and titles, such as the Harry Potter series and Twilight. Michael Morpurgo provides an excellent foreword, which deserves to be read. The volume is arranged alphabetically, followed by eight appendixes, each providing a list of award winners including, of course, the Newbery and Carnegie. This one-volume compilation may be used as reference or professional reading. It provides a wonderful opportunity for dipping into children's literature, revisiting favorites while serendipitously discovering new ones.--Sinofsky, Esther Copyright 2016 Booklist

Those looking for background material on a favorite author, who want to learn about a genre from its early beginnings to the current form, or who desire suggestions for further reading will find this a pithy and entertaining guide. This update of the 1984 edition contains over 900 additional entries and reflects changes in technology and literary trends. Going beyond literary titles to include alphabet books, comics, illustrators and their techniques, and the origins of diverse character types, the entries provide wonderful contextual information on past favorites and current popular works. Most are from the UK or the United States, but books translated into English are included, too. Summaries range from a single sentence to several pages, yet even the shortest descriptions are helpful. Not all authors are treated equally; Hans Christian Anderson is covered on almost three pages with amusing anecdotes, while the entry on J.K -Rowling simply refers the reader to Harry Potter. A section on comics traces the history of the format and refers readers to a few titles, while the entry for manga is briefer, and none of the top manga comics is included. However, for a book aiming to encompass all of children's literature, this volume does a splendid job. VERDICT A great reference, with a pleasantly engaging writing style, best suited for discovering obscure authors. For anyone with children looking for new favorites, or those seeking a deeper understanding of the many subgenres in YA and children's literature.-Susanne Caro, Univ. of Montana Lib., Missoula © Copyright 2015. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.