Explores the representation of war and its after effects in children's books and documentary films. This volume examines the influence of violence and war on children's literature by studying the childhood experiences of authors writing for children, the children represented in war stories, and experiences of children who make up the readership.

Some of the most innovative and spell-binding literature has been written for young people, but only recently has academic study embraced its range and complexity. This Companion offers a state-of-the-subject survey of English-language children's literature from the seventeenth century to the present. With discussions ranging from eighteenth-century moral tales to modern fantasies by J. K. Rowling and Philip Pullman, the Companion illuminates acknowledged classics and many more neglected works. Its unique structure means that equal consideration can be given to both texts and contexts. Some...