Contributors analyse the theories behind children’s literature, its functions and cultural significance, and suggest the new directions this literature is taking in terms of its craft, themes and intentions.
Africa’s encounter with the West and its implications and consequences remain far-reaching and enduring in the craft and thrust of its creative writers. The contributors to ALT 33 analyse the connections between traditional stories and myths that have been told to children, as well as the work of contemporary creative writers who are writing for children in order that they understand this complex history. Some of these writers are developing traditional myths, folk tales, and legends and are writing them in new forms, while others focus on the encounter with the West that has dominated much modern African literature for adults.
The previous neglect of the cultural significance, study, criticism and teaching of children’s literature is addressed in this volume: How can the successes and/or failures of stories and story-telling for children in Africa be measured? Are there models to be followed and whatmakes them models? What is the relationship between the text and the illustration of children’s books? What should guide the reader or critic of children’s literature coming out of Africa – globalism, transculturality or internalregionalism? What problems confront teachers, students, publishers and promoters of children’s books in Africa?
Ernest Emenyonu is Professor of Africana Studies at the University of Michigan-Flint, USA; the editorial board is composed of scholars from US, UK and African universities.
Reviews Editor: Obi Nwakanma
HEBN: Nigeria
Table of Content
Editorial article [Ernest N. Emenyonu]
Culture & Aesthetics in Selected Children’s Literature by Akachi Ezeigbo [Rose Sackeyfio]
Contemporary Nigerian Children’s Literature: A Study of Ifeoma Onyefulu [Iniobong I. Uko]
Search for Identity: The Journey Quest in West African Folktales [Yvonne E. Mc Intosh]
Trends in Ghanaian Children’s Literature [Faith Ben-Daniels]
Folktales as African Children’s Literature: A Study of Archetypal Symbols in Selected Igbo Folktales [Blessing Diala-Ogamba]
Whose Literature? Children in Armed Conflict & Modern African Fiction [Julia Udofia]
The Expatriated African Folktale: Exploring Adaptation in Juliana Makuchi’s
The Sacred Door & Other Stories [Eve Eisenberg]
The Pedagogy of Urban Children’s Game Songs [Kelvin Ngong Toh]
The Trickster Tale in Botswana: Does Gender Determine Levels of Violence? [Wazha Lopang]
Ifeoma Onyefulu: Author & Photographer of Children’s Books [Patricia T. Emenyonu]
Re-Presenting Africa in Young Adult Speculative Fiction: The Ekpe Institution in Nnedi Okorafor’s
Akata Witch [Louisa Uchum Egbunike]
Tomorrow’s Kings & Queens: Gender Representation in Ghanaian Children’s Literature [Juliana Daniels]
Sindiwe Magona, Veteran Author of Children’s Books: An interview for ALT [Ernest N. Emenyonu & Patricia T. Emenyonu ]
Nadine Gordimer: A Tribute to Grace [Ikeogu Oke]
Reviews [Edited by Obi Nwakanma]
About the author
Ernest N. Emenyonu is Professor Emeritus of Africana Studies at the University of Michigan-Flint, USA. He is Series Editor of African Literature Today. His publications include A Companion to Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie (2017), Emerging Perspectives on Nawal El Saadawi (2010), and the children’s book Uzoechi: A Story of African Childhood (2012).
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