Bloomsbury Dictionary of Children's Fiction from Australia, Canada, India, New Zealand, and Selected African Countries: Books of Recognized Merit

Designed for librarians, teachers, and researchers who work with children's literature, this volume offers comprehensive coverage of a broad spectrum of award-winning fiction worthy of closer attention by scholars and further exposure to youngsters. Its 726 entries deal with the other English literature, comprising 263 works of fiction by 164 authors from Canada, Australia, New Zealand, India, and selected African nations that publish books for young people in English. Books chosen for inclusion have been recognized as outstanding by library associations and award committees of various institutions, including Horn Book magazine, the Children's Book Trust of India, the Children's Literature Association of Nigeria, and other sources identified through the Centre for Children's Books at the National Book League in London, the International Board on Books for Young People (IBBY), and Children's Books: Awards and Prizes, published by the Children's Book Council, Inc. Particular awards and citations are noted with the book entries, and a list of more than forty, with the awarding institution, is provided in the front of the volume. Entries on books include bibliographical data and identify the relevant subgenre of fiction; they describe the setting in time and place, offer a plot summary, identify characters, and provide a critical assessment. The biographical entries for authors note other writings, the book's place in the body of work, an assessment of artistry and critical recognition, and influences and sources of ideas. Additional entries deal with outstanding characters, memorable settings, and key motifs. All entries are mutally cross-referenced, and an extensive index will guide the researcher to particular subjects, including illustrators, as well as broad subjects, such as books written in the first person, settings by period, genres, and themes.