Throw the book away: Reading Versus Experience in Children’s Fantasy

This title is printed to order. This book may have been self-published. If so, we cannot guarantee the quality of the content. In the main most books will have gone through the editing process however some may not. We therefore suggest that you be aware of this before ordering this book. If in doubt check either the author or publisher’s details as we are unable to accept any returns unless they are faulty. Please contact us if you have any questions.

Children’s literature is an excellent way to educate children, on everything from social behaviour and beliefs to attitudes toward education itself. A prevalent aspect of children’s literature is the importance of books and reading. In children’s literature, books represent adult authority.

This book examines the role that books, reading and writing play in children’s fantasy fiction, from books that act as artifacts of power (The Abhorsen Trilogy, The Spiderwick Chronicles, Harry Potter) to interactive books (The Neverending Story, Malice, Inkheart) to books with character-writers (Percy Jackson, Captain Underpants). The author finds that although books and reading often play a prominent role in fantasy for children, the majority of young protagonists gain self-sufficiency not by reading but by moving beyond books and reading.