Canadian Classics: Children's Literature
© Paula E. Kirman
I have always believed that the best books for children are the same ones that anyone, regardless of age, can enjoy. This is certainly the case with some of Canada's best writing for young people. In fact, many of these titles are on the required reading lists for literature courses in universities across the country. Perhaps that is the reason for some Canadian children's works to have appeal that spans generations.
Anne of Green Gables by Lucy Maud Montgomery is one novel that springs first to my mind. I first read this novel as a junior high student, then again in high school and then finally again in university as part of a Children's Literature course I was taking. Montgomery was a genius when she thought up such a multi-dimensional character as Anne. Anne's antics are as hilarious now as when I first read the novel. Just to prove what a classic it really is, it is probably the one "girl's novel" that boys would not be embarassed to be caught reading.
W. O. Mitchell's Who Has Seen the Wind is a boy's classic, though again, it has appeal for anyone of any age. He captures the day to day life of growing up on the Prairies without over-romanticizing.
The name Robert Munsch and books for very young children go hand in hand. The Ontario-based writer has penned more educational and fun books for kids than one can keep track of! Most of his work is aimed at very early readers and are complemented by excellent artwork.
Martyn Godfrey, the late Alberta-based writer, was one of the first authors I ever met. He made an appearance at my elementary school before he made it big with titles like Here She Is, Miss Teeny-Wonderful. His books kept me and my classmates in stitches for hours.
For reluctant readers, Signmund Brouwer writes book about sports and space -- though sometimes not between the covers of the same novel! He is best known for his Double Helix series.
Beth Goobie is another well-known and respected contemporary children's writer. Many of her novels are aimed at mature young adult readers. Novels such as The Colours of Carol Molev and The Dream Where the Losers Go deal with many problems of growing up including abuse, fitting in and facing prejudice. Goobie is a prolific writer who is also a poet and novelist for adults.
Although Mordecai Richler is best known for his sardonic, heavy-handed style, he is also the author of one all-time children's classic: Jacob Two-Two Meets the Hooded Fang. Originally written for one of his sons, this story is well known and loved by several generations and has even been made into a movie.
Go To Page: 1
The copyright of the article Canadian Classics: Children's Literature in Canadian Literature is owned by Paula E. Kirman. Permission to republish Canadian Classics: Children's Literature in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.
