XXth Century Anglo-American Children's Literature and Pop-Culture

Elena Rafaelevna Watson, PhD

January 23, 2014

Shel Silverstein (1930-1999)

American poet Singer-songwriter Composer One of the leading

cartoonists in Playboy since 1957

Started writing children’s books in 1963

Korean War veteran

1974:

The Giving Tree 1964, translated into more than 30 languages

BOA CONSTRICTOR (16)

Oh, I’m being eatenBy a boa constrictor,A boa constrictor,A boa constrictor,I’m being eaten by a boa constrictor,And I don’t like it – one bit. Well, what do you know?

It’s nibblin’ my toe.

Oh, gee,It’s up to my knee.Oh my,It’s up to my thigh.Oh, fiddle,It’s up to my middle.Oh, heck,It’s up to my neck.Oh, dread,It’s upmmmmmffffffffff…

1974:

RIDICULOUS ROSEHer mama said, “Don’t eat with your fingers.””OK,” said Ridiculous Rose,So she ate with her toes!

THE BATTLEWould you like to hearOf the terrible nightWhen I bravely fought the –No?All right.

THE VOICE

There is a voice inside of youThat whispers all day long,“I feel that this is right for me,I know that this is wrong.”

No teacher, preacher, parent, friendOr wise man can decideWhat’s right for you – just listen toThe voice that speaks inside.

TELL ME SAFE?

Tell me I’m clever,Tell me I’m kind,Tell me I’m talented,Tell me I’m cute,Tell me I’m sensitive,Graceful and wise,Tell me I’m perfect –But tell me the truth.

I look to the left,I look to the right,Before I ever Move my feet.No cars to the left,No cars to the right,I guess it's safeTo cross the street...

TREE HOUSE

A tree house, a free house,A secret you and me house,A high up in the leafy branchesCozy as can be house.

A street house, a neat house,Be sure to wipe your feet houseIs not my kind of house at all –Let’s go to live in a tree house.

The Toucan

Tell me who canCatch a toucan?Lou can.

Just how few canRide the toucan?Two can. 

 What kind of goo canStick you to the toucan?Glue can. Who can write someMore about the toucan?You can.

LISTEN TO THE MUSTN’TS

Listen to the MUSTN’TS, child,Listen to the DON’TSListen to the SHOULDN’TSThe IMPOSSIBLES, the WON’TSListen to the NEVER HAVESThen listen close to me –Anything can happen, child,ANYTHING can be.

WOULDA-COULDA-SHOULDA

All the Woulda-Coulda-ShouldasLayin' in the sun,Talkin' 'bout the thingsThey woulda-coulda-shoulda done...But those Woulda-Coulda-ShouldasAll ran away and hidFrom one little did.

SHARING

I'll share your toys, I'll share your money,I'll share your toast, I'll share your honey,I'll share your milk and your cookies too -The hard part's sharing mine with you.

Who is this?

“Little Princess” (started in

1886) by Tony Ross (born in 1938)

Dorothy Kunhardt (1901-1979) and her “Pat the Bunny”

(1940)

Margaret Wise Brown (1910-1952)

Pat Hutchins (b. 1942), UK 1968 - “Rosie’s Walk”

Pat Hutchins (b. 1942) 1971 1974, Kate Greenaway

Medal

Robert Kraus (1925-2001)1970 1974

Mick Inkpen (b.1952) UKKipper series (1991 - )

Janet (1944-1994) & Allan Ahlberg (b.1938), UK

1986. Took 5 years to make. Over 6 mln copies sold

Mem Fox (b.1946, Australia)

Possum Magic 10 Little Fingers

and 10 Little Toes Where Is the

Green Sheep?

Mem Fox (b. 1946) Australia

20042008

Use the Element of Fun in learning / teaching English!

In every job that must be doneThere is an element of fun.You find the fun and snap! The job’s a

game!And every task you undertake Becomes a piece of cake...

- the Sherman Brothersthrough Mary Poppins

THANK YOU!