Dictionary of British Children’s Fiction [2 volumes]: Books of Recognized Merit 9780313225918

This Dictionary is a companion to earlier works, by the same authors, that covered American children’s fiction. This book contains 1,626 entries based on 387 books published from 1687 to 1985. . . . A detailed preface discusses the criteria for inclusion, the relationship with American editions of some titles, and the unique characterisitics of British fiction for children. As with the earlier volumes, a comprehensive index and a system of asterisks that provides cross-referencing between various entries for each book make the Dictionary easy to use. . . . Many will enjoy simply browsing this fascinating reference book.

Reference Books Bulletin

Written for librarians, teachers, and researchers who deal with children’s literature, this volume offers comprehensive coverage of nearly 400 British books for young people published from 1678 to the present. Books chosen for inclusion were drawn from those that have won recognized awards for literary merit or have been on lists citing works that should be part of any representative children’s book collection. For each, the authors provide concise entries for authors, titles, characters, memorable settings, significant movements, and literary terminology. The result is an unusually complete overview of a broad spectrum of fiction recognized for merit by a wide variety of experts in children’s literature.

The dictionary section includes four types of entries: title, author, character, and miscellaneous or additional data. Every book has title and author entries; additional information is presented in character and miscellaneous entries where necessary. Author entries provide basic biographical data, focusing particularly on what in the author’s life is most relevant to children’s literature. Title entries include bibliographic information, a brief plot summary, sub-genre, setting, a critical evaluation, and any awards and citations. An extensive index enables the reader to locate books by period, topic, theme, and characters’ names, as well as by author and title. The only one-volume compilation of the best in British children’s fiction available to date, this book belongs on the shelves of every academic and public library. As a basic research tool, it will also be of significant value to teachers of children’s literature, writers, and social historians.