What is children’s literature?  

Children’s literature is literature designed specifically for children. There are different age groups and reading levels that they are categorized in and the subject matter pertains to children and the things they like. 

 
What are its characteristics? In other words, how do we define this field of literature?  

The characteristics of children’s literature which makes it different from adult literature is the voice, the language, the level of vocabulary, pictures, fewer amount of page numbers, larger font size and like I said previously, the subject matter. These are things which are crafted especially for children. 

 
What makes a particular book a piece of “children’s literature”? Is there such a thing as bad children’s literature? How do we recognize it?  

Usually children’s literature is trying to teach a lesson about life, while being entertaining to a younger audience at the same time. There is usually a theme in the story about what is trying to be taught and the whole story revolves around that. I remember reading books about cleaning my room, brushing my hair, taking a bath, going through puberty, and moral issues such as not lying or being a good friend. 

Bad children’s literature is all a matter of opinion. If you don’t like it or can’t relate then maybe it’s not the good literature for you, but could be really good for someone else. 

 
What is good children’s literature? Try to think of some specific examples of “good” children’s literature.  

I think what makes good children’s literature is whether or not it captivates the appropriate audience. Do children engage and feel a part of the story? I think this is a good quality for any literature. If you can relate and feel part of the story, I think that is good literature.  

Some of the well known popular children’s literatures that I remember reading were Dr. Sues, Beatrix Potter, the Velveteen Rabbit, Box Car Children and Berenstien Bears, and any Judy Bloom book.