Dr. Michelle Chan
Who do we write children’s literature for?
Do we write children's literature exclusively for children, or is there a broader target audience?
Single, Double and Dual Addresses
This concern of readership is related to the theories of addressee: single, double and dual addresses. In the understanding of “Single address”, children’s books are created specifically for children. The term “double address” highlights the role of adults as gatekeepers who evaluate the appropriateness and of children’s texts before they reach young readers. It is essential to acknowledge that the selection and creation of these books involve adults –including writers, illustrators, editors, teachers and librarians. At the same time, many adults reflect on their memories of reading children's literature and often discover deeper meanings in these stories when revisiting them as adults. They may still remember the castle, knights, monsters and witches from their youth and continue to be captivated by the magic these stories offer. These reflections tie into the concept of "dual address," which suggests that young and adult readers may interpret texts differently. Children may not yet grasp the hidden messages, while adults have the maturity to understand the underlying themes. Additionally, more and more authors take liberty of writing for adults through children’s texts, particularly through picture books.
Children’s literature, Artistic Values and Media
Children’s literature shows us the boundlessness of imagination, the fantasticality of possibilities, and some inspirational creativity. Through these stories, we gain profound insights into morals and potentials, which serve as keys to fostering goodness and understanding. The beauty of children’s stories can often be captured and explored in their physical copies. When creating these copies, authors and illustrators pay attention to the choice of the paper, the printing of colors, the shape of the books, as well as the design of book jacket, endpapers, colours and fonts. More than simply printing a children’s story, many creators turn the book into an art. Besides, many children’s stories are adapted into movies, animations, comics, dramas and other literary and commercial products. These new presentations offer fresh meanings and interpretations of the original stories. Each new version contributes to a larger narrative, ensuring that these stories remain alive and relatable in contemporary society. They may enrich our understanding of the original text or create entirely new narratives and approaches.
Children’s Literature and Knowledge Transfer
Exhibitions, multimedia presentations, and various forms of adaptation can make literary texts more accessible to the public. On top of research papers and projects, knowledge transfer is one key trend of research projects. It is important to share the genre outside the classroom, and show the artistic and literary values to a wider audience. In 2023, a Korean picture books exhibition was organized. More than 30 Korean picture books were selected and divided into the themes of history, society, folklore & legends, and fantasy. In 2024, an exhibition of Hong Kong children’s literature was made. It displayed some children’s magazines such as Children’s Paradise (1953-1994), Cotton Tree Children’s Literature Monthly (1998-2019), the illustrated poems of Ho Chi, and also the illustrations of some contemporary picture book creators.
