A study of fifty years of Newfoundland children's literature and the compilation of an annnotated bibliography, 1940-1990

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to examine critically Newfoundland children's literature from 1940 to 1990 to ascertain the quantity and the quality of these books, and to provide users of the literature with a selection tool in the form of an annotated bibliography. Newfoundland children's literature was defined as being those books written by Newfoundlanders, published in Newfoundland (excluding books whose rights were purchased from the international market), or containing a significant Newfoundland theme. Anthologies and books written solely for informational purposes have been excluded. Eighty titles were located through searches of the catalogues of the Curriculum Materials Centre in the Faculty of Education at Memorial University of Newfoundland, the Newfoundland Room of the Queen Elizabeth II Library at the Memorial University of Newfoundland, and the Newfoundland Public Libraries; and examination of available publishers' catalogues, a number of standard reference and bibliographic aids, and two published annotated bibliographies of Newfoundland materials. Sixty-eight books were found for personal review and were evaluated following internationally accepted guidelines for excellence. A unified narrative discussion of books for readers under 8 years, readers aged 9 to 12 years, and readers aged 13 to 18 years was prepared. A separate descriptive and critical annotated bibliography with accompanying recommendations was provided for ready reference. Based on the examination and evaluation of the sixty-eight books, a number of conclusions were drawn regarding the quantity of books available; the quality of text, illustration, and technical production; as well as the state of Newfoundland children's books as a body of literature. A number of recommendations were made in the interest of insuring the continued development of a Newfoundland children's literature of excellence with appeal both in Newfoundland and in the wider community of readers.