 | Children''s Literature of the English Renaissance Subjects: Children’s literature English -- History and criticism; English literature -- Early modern 1500-1700 -- History and criticism; Children -- England -- Books and reading -- History; Warren W. Wooden's pioneering studies of early examples of children's literature throw new light on many accepted works of the English Renaissance period. In consequence, they appear more complex, significant, and successful than hitherto realized. In these nine essays, Wooden traces the roots of English children's literature in the Renaissance beginning with the first printed books of Caxton and ranging through the work of John Bunyan. Wooden examines a number of works and authors from this period of two centuries--some from the standard canon, others obscure or neglected--while addressing questions about the early development of children's literature. Warren W. Wooden was professor of English at Marshall University. |
