Children's Literature: A Course for Adults from Udemy

Do you want to walk through a wardrobe or jump down a rabbit hole?

Maybe you loved to read as a child and now as an adult you would like to find out a bit more and look more critically at the texts and authors that fired your young imagination. In doing so you will refine your critical reading skills, increase your language skills and learn about the progression of thinking in writing for children and how it is related to changing attitudes in society, as well as impacting social attitudes.

My name is Eve Williams and I hold a degree in English Literature and a Master's in Old English Literature from the Russell Group Queen's University of Belfast as well as lecturing in Belfast's C.S. Lewis Festival. Following the success of my English Literarure and World Literature courses, students asked for a specific course on Children's Literature and I was thrilled to rediscover the magic of

Nursery rhymes
Fairytales
Alice's Adventures in Wonderland by Lewis Carroll
The Secret Garden by Frances Hodgson Burnett
The Wind in the Willows by Kenneth Grahame
Beatrix Potter
The Anne Books by L.M. Montgomery
The Little Women Books by Louisa May Alcott
Enid Blyton
The Hobbit by J.R.R. Tolkien
The Chronicles of Narnia by C.S. Lewis
Goodnight Mister Tom by Michelle Magorian
Roald Dahl
The Harry Potter Books
The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night Time by Mark Haddon

The course also comes with an inviation to the monthly Zoom Book Club where you can talk about literature with your fellow students.

If you would like to join me on this magical journey, you can do so risk free due to Udemy's 30 day money back guarantee. I'm looking forward to joining you.

What's inside

Learning objectives

Understand changing thinking in writing for children
Refine critical reading skills
Improve language skills
Open up your imagination

Learn about how history impacted children's literature
Identify how children's literature both impacted and was impacted by social change
Find out about the lives and times of several well known children's writers
You will be invited to join the monthly zoom book club exclusively for my literature students

Understand changing thinking in writing for children
Refine critical reading skills
Improve language skills
Open up your imagination
Learn about how history impacted children's literature
Identify how children's literature both impacted and was impacted by social change
Find out about the lives and times of several well known children's writers
You will be invited to join the monthly zoom book club exclusively for my literature students

Syllabus

Introduction

Nursery Rhymes

Reading: Do you remember these?

Nursery Rhymes and Real History

Traffic lights

Read about what's good

what should give you pause

and possible dealbreakers

Explores a wide range of authors and books, from classic fairytales to contemporary works like Harry Potter, offering a comprehensive overview of the genre

Examines children's literature through the lens of social change, which provides learners with a deeper understanding of the cultural impact of these stories

Includes an invitation to a monthly Zoom book club, which fosters a sense of community and provides a platform for discussing literature with fellow students

Taught by an instructor with a degree in English Literature and a Master's in Old English Literature, which lends credibility and expertise to the course content

Includes readings from a variety of children's books, which allows learners to engage directly with the texts and develop their critical reading skills

Discusses authors such as Enid Blyton, whose works have been criticized for their problematic themes, which may be a sensitive topic for some learners

Reviews summary

Exploring classic and modern children's literature

According to learners, this course offers an insightful and engaging journey into the world of children's literature. Students frequently highlight the instructor's passion and deep knowledge of the subject, finding the lectures well-structured and enjoyable. The course covers a broad range of classic and modern texts, providing valuable historical context and encouraging critical analysis. Many felt it significantly deepened their appreciation for the genre. While the breadth is praised, a few learners noted they wished for more in-depth exploration of specific texts.

Some desire more in-depth discussion of certain books.

"While the range is great, I sometimes felt we only scratched the surface of some really complex books."

"I would have loved a bit more time spent on certain authors or texts to really delve into them."

"Perhaps breaking it down into two parts could allow for more detailed analysis per book."

"Good overview, but if you're looking for deep dives into every single book mentioned, this might not fully satisfy."

Monthly Zoom sessions add a community element.

"The invitation to the monthly Zoom book club is a wonderful bonus and great for discussion."

"Really enjoyed the interactive element of the book club. It was nice to connect with other students."

"The book club adds significant value to the course experience."

"Participating in the Zoom discussions enhanced my learning."

Covers a wide spectrum of significant children's books.

"The course includes a fantastic range of books, from classic fairytales to modern novels like Harry Potter."

"I appreciated the breadth of the syllabus. It was great to revisit old favorites and discover new perspectives."

"Covered a really diverse list of authors and books, which gave a great overview of the genre's history."

"Loved the selection of literature covered. It felt comprehensive for an introductory course."

Promotes deeper understanding and critical thinking.

"This course really helps you look at children's books with a critical eye, understanding their historical and social context."

"I gained a much deeper understanding of why these stories are important and how they reflect changing times."

"The analysis provided goes beyond just plot summary; it’s about history, culture, and meaning."

"Learned to analyze these texts critically, which was a new and valuable skill for me."

Instructor's enthusiasm makes the course come alive.

"The instructor is incredibly passionate about the subject, which makes the lectures really engaging."

"Eve Williams is a fantastic lecturer! Her love for children's literature is infectious and kept me hooked."

"I loved learning from Eve. Her insights and enthusiasm made revisiting these books a joy."

"Her passion for literature shines through every lesson. It's truly inspiring."

Activities

Be better prepared before your course. Deepen your understanding during and after it. Supplement your coursework and achieve mastery of the topics covered in Children's Literature: A Course for Adults with these activities:

Review Key Literary Terms

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Familiarize yourself with common literary terms to better understand the analysis and discussion of children's literature.

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Find a list of common literary terms.
Define each term in your own words.
Find examples of each term in children's books.

Read 'From Cover to Cover: Evaluating and Reviewing Children's Books' by Kathleen T. Horning

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Develop a deeper understanding of how to critically evaluate children's literature.

View From Cover to Cover: Evaluating and Reviewing... on Amazon

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Read 'From Cover to Cover'.
Take notes on the key criteria for evaluating children's books.
Apply these criteria to books discussed in the course.

Read 'A Little Princess' by Frances Hodgson Burnett

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Gain a deeper understanding of Frances Hodgson Burnett's work and the themes explored in 'The Secret Garden'.

View The Secret Garden (Signature Editions) on Amazon

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Read 'A Little Princess'.
Take notes on the main themes and characters.
Compare and contrast it with 'The Secret Garden'.

Three other activities

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Show all six activities

Create a comparative analysis of two versions of a fairytale

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Deepen your understanding of the evolution of fairytales by comparing and contrasting different versions of the same story.

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Choose a fairytale with multiple versions (e.g., Cinderella, Little Red Riding Hood).
Find at least two different versions of the fairytale.
Analyze the similarities and differences between the versions.
Write a report comparing and contrasting the versions.

Write a blog post: 'The Enduring Appeal of Fairytales'

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Synthesize your understanding of fairytales and their historical context by writing a blog post that explores their continued relevance.

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Research the history and evolution of fairytales.
Identify key themes and archetypes in fairytales.
Write a blog post exploring the reasons for their enduring appeal.

Design a lesson plan for teaching a children's book

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Apply your knowledge of children's literature to create a practical lesson plan for engaging young readers.

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Choose a children's book from the course reading list.
Identify the key themes and learning objectives.
Develop activities and discussion questions to engage students.
Write a detailed lesson plan.

Career center

Learners who complete Children's Literature: A Course for Adults will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:

Children's Book Author

A career as a children's book author allows you to bring your own imaginative stories to life for young readers. This course, which analyzes classic works of children's literature, can help you understand what makes a children's book successful and enduring. Examining authors like Beatrix Potter, Roald Dahl, and J.K. Rowling helps you understand how to connect with your audience. The course explores themes, writing styles, and historical contexts, which are all essential for any aspiring children's book author. The course's focus on the progression of children's literature, coupled with insights into societal attitudes reflected in these books, sets you up to create stories that are both timeless and relevant to current readers.

See salaries and explore the career path for Children's Book Author

Children's Librarian

As a children's librarian, you connect young readers with books that spark their imaginations. This course on children's literature introduces you to a wide range of classic and contemporary works, helping you make informed recommendations. The course's explorations of authors like L.M. Montgomery and Roald Dahl familiarize you with the authors children love. Learning about the progression of children's literature and how it reflects changing societal attitudes helps you curate a diverse and relevant collection. The material from the course, which covers nursery rhymes to Harry Potter, helps you engage with children of all ages and interests. You should enroll in this course to rediscover many of your own favorites in childhood.

See salaries and explore the career path for Children's Librarian

Elementary School Teacher

As an elementary school teacher, instilling a love of reading in your students is crucial. This course on children's literature exposes you to a wide array of books suitable for different ages and reading levels. The course, which examines classic works like The Secret Garden and The Hobbit, helps you understand the impact of these stories on young minds. The insights into how children's literature reflects social change helps you choose books that are both engaging and relevant. Discussion of authors from Beatrix Potter to J.K. Rowling give you a strong foundation in the genre. The monthly Zoom Book Club included with the course provides a further platform to discuss this literature.

See salaries and explore the career path for Elementary School Teacher

Book Reviewer

As a book reviewer, you analyze and critique literary works for publications or online platforms. The course on children's literature enhances your critical reading skills, which are essential for providing insightful and well-reasoned reviews. The course provides an overview of a broad range of children's literature. Examining the progression of children's literature and the different social attitudes reflected can help you provide context for your reviews. The course's coverage of various authors, from Beatrix Potter to J.K. Rowling, provides a strong foundation for evaluating their work. The invitation to join the monthly Zoom Book Club may broaden your exposure to additional literature.

See salaries and explore the career path for Book Reviewer

Editorial Assistant

An editorial assistant supports the editorial team at a publishing house or literary agency. The course on children's literature explores various authors and works, which helps you develop the strong reading and analytical skills needed to assess manuscripts. This course can improve your understanding of what makes a compelling children's story. Familiarity with children's literature is a great asset when evaluating submissions. The course's coverage of authors like Lewis Carroll and Enid Blyton may be particularly valuable, providing insight into different styles and genres within the field of children's literature. Developing your ability to refine critical reading skills is an especially critical skill when working as an editorial assistant.

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Curriculum Developer

A curriculum developer creates educational materials for schools and other institutions. The course on children's literature can help you design engaging and age-appropriate reading lists. This course examines classic works such as Alice's Adventures in Wonderland and The Chronicles of Narnia, which provides a solid foundation for selecting impactful texts. Understanding how children's literature has evolved and how it reflects societal attitudes helps you create a curriculum that is both relevant and thought-provoking. The course's coverage of various authors and genres enables you to cater to diverse learning styles and interests. Examining the impact of literature and social change, in particular, helps in constructing a curriculum.

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Literary Agent

A literary agent represents authors and helps them get their work published. The course on children's literature helps you understand the current market for children's books, spot emerging trends, and identify promising talent. Familiarity with the progression of children's literature helps you assess the potential of new manuscripts. The course's coverage of authors like Enid Blyton and J.R.R. Tolkien provides insight into different styles and genres. The course helps to hone your critical reading skills, which is essential for evaluating submissions. Working as a literary agent often requires an advanced degree.

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Storyteller

As a storyteller, you bring narratives to life through oral performance. The course on children's literature exposes you to a wide range of stories and styles, enriching your repertoire. The course's exploration of fairy tales, nursery rhymes, and classic works like The Wind in the Willows provides a deep well of inspiration. Understanding the history and social context of these stories helps you connect with your audience on a deeper level. The course may help to refine your language skills, which is invaluable for crafting engaging and memorable performances. This course may be useful for developing a unique and engaging storytelling repertoire.

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Freelance Editor

As a freelance editor, you work with authors to polish and refine their manuscripts. The course on children's literature may enhance your understanding of writing styles and storytelling techniques specific to this genre. The course's exploration of classic works and authors like Roald Dahl and J.K. Rowling provides a valuable overview of successful children's books. You may find that this course builds a strong foundation of knowledge. Learning about the progression of children's literature discussed in the course, along with how it relates to changing attitudes in society, may enhance your critical reading skills.

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Tutor

As a tutor, you provide individualized instruction to students. The course on children's literature exposes you to a wide range of books and authors that you can recommend. The course's exploration of classic works like The Secret Garden and The Hobbit can help you select age-appropriate and engaging reading material. Understanding how children's literature reflects social change helps you choose books that are relevant to your students' lives. The course helps improve language skills. The Zoom book club may be a useful tool in preparing for lessons.

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Content Writer

A content writer creates written material for websites, blogs, and other online platforms. The course on children's literature enhances your understanding of storytelling techniques and writing styles, which you can apply to various content formats. You may find that this course assists in developing a more imaginative and engaging writing style. Analyzing authors like Roald Dahl or Enid Blyton, as discussed in this course, provides valuable insights into crafting compelling narratives. Additionally, gaining insight into how children's literature has evolved, discussed in this course, helps you write content that resonates with diverse audiences. Overall, this course may be helpful in improving your writing skills.

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ESL Teacher

As an ESL teacher, you help non-native speakers learn English. This course on children's literature may expose you to a variety of texts and language styles that can be adapted for teaching purposes. The course may provide insights into how language is used to engage young readers, which can inform your teaching methods. The course may provide a foundation in language skills. Discussion of authors from Lewis Carroll to Roald Dahl helps give insight into language usage. The course's overall focus on language may prove to be a useful asset.

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Social Media Manager

As a social media manager for a book publisher or author, you promote their work online. The course on children's literature helps you understand the target audience and craft engaging content. The course, with its overview of a wide variety of children's literature, can give you insight into what resonates with young readers. The course may improve your ability to write copy. The course content, which ranges from nursery rhymes to Harry Potter, gives you a wide range of reference points for creating social media campaigns.

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Grant Writer

As a grant writer for a non-profit organization that promotes literacy, you write proposals. The course on children's literature may assist you in articulating the need for funding and demonstrate your knowledge of the field. You should take the course to show that you understand the importance of children's literature in shaping young minds. The course's coverage of various authors and genres may help you make a case for supporting programs that promote reading and literacy. A career as a grant writer often requires an advanced degree.

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Archivist

As an archivist specializing in children's literature, you preserve and organize historical documents and materials related to the field. The course on children's literature helps you understand the historical context and significance of these materials. The course's exploration of authors like Beatrix Potter and C.S. Lewis provides a deeper appreciation for their contributions. The course may also give you insight into how children's literature reflects social change, enabling you to contextualize the materials within broader historical trends. The course's syllabus of reading, from nursery rhymes to Harry Potter, makes you a qualified archivist. Working as an archivist often requires an advanced degree.

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Children's Literature

A Course for Adults

What's inside

Learning objectives

Syllabus

Traffic lights

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Reviews summary

Exploring classic and modern children's literature

Activities

Career center

Reading list

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