Literature Matters - Literature - British Council

Writing for children hasn’t quite become the new black, but at last it seems that publishers are beginning to take the art form seriously. Just to be cynical about it, it may well have more to do with the squillions that have been made from the Harry Potter phenomenon than a commitment to improving the breadth and quality of children’s literature. But what ever the reason, the good news is that more books for children are being published and making their way into the hands of young readers. And this is what this edition of Literature Matters is about, with an array of writers who know all about this world sharing their thoughts and views with us. A few highlights include Julia Eccleshare’s doubts on the rise of the “crossover” novel, Anne Fine voicing concerns over the direction of children’s writing, Michael Morpurgo offering up insights into being the children’s laureate, Zizou Cordor (aka Louisa Young and her daughter Isabel) discussing literary collaborations and in our regular section Writer’s Talk Books a few of our favourite authors for teens scrutinizing their own recent reading. And there is a great feature on a recent British Council event in Bulgaria and an informative article on using children’s picture books to teach English to British Council overseas students. So, all in all we hope that you will leave this issue of Literature Matters with an insiders knowledge on all that is good, interesting and slightly controversial in the world of children’s literature.

		June 2005 Editor: Catriona Ferguson


		The Big Picture

Two of the UK's leading experts on writing for children explore some of the highs and the lows in the world of children’s literature. Award winning writer Anne Fine suggests that all is not so rosy and voices some concern over the quality of writing for children. Meanwhile critic Nicholas Tucker tracks the development of political correctness in children’s literature.


		Crossing Over

Crossover fever has hit the book world and suddenly there is more potential to broaden readership across genres. But Julia Eccleshare has some doubts about bridging the gap between adult and children’s fiction. Meanwhile, Louisa Young aka Zizou Corder has taken crossing over to a whole new level and talks about her successful literary collaboration with her daughter Isabel.


		Out and About

Karen Mountney, Children’s Programme Director for the Edinburgh International Book Festival reveals the ins and outs of organising the 100s of children’s events that sit right at the heart of the book festival’s programme.


		A Few Words from the former Children’s Laureate

In 2003 Michael Morpurgo was appointed children’s laureate, following hot on the heels of Quentin Blake and Anne Fine. Here he discusses the current state of literature and literacy within the classrooms in the UK – and it's not all good news.


		The Big Issue

Beverley Naidoo and G. P. Taylor are two authors who do not shy away from tackling meaty issues in their fiction – race, religion and politics are just some of the subjects they have covered. Here they explore their own personal approach to tackling the big themes.


		Writers Abroad

Novelist David Lee Stone and storyteller Elly Stuart are two professionals who have worked overseas on British Council projects. David Lee Stone explores the enthusiasm he found amongst Bulgarian teenagers while Elly Stuart writes about her experience in India.


		Writers Talk Books

Four of our most brilliant writers for teenagers, Malorie Blackman, Kevin Brooks, Melvin Burgess and Matt Whyman talk about what they have been reading recently.


		The Magic Pencil

The Magic Pencil, a British Council touring exhibition exploring the wonderful world of children’s book illustration has been seen in many countries around the globe. Here, Gail Ellis of the British Council in Paris discusses how the exhibition has been used as a lively and engaging tool in the teaching of English.

Bibliography

Julia Donaldson talks Groilish

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