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Through the Looking Glass: Further Adventures & Misadventures in the Realm of Children's Literature
This collection gathers essays by Selma Lanes on the masters of children's literature that she most admires: Maurice Sendak, William Steig, Edward Gorey, L. Frank Baum, Tomi Ungerer, Jack Keats, Margot Zemach, and one editor of genius, Ursula Nordstrom. What concerns Ms. Lanes most is the integration of text and image, the abilities of authors and artists of picture books to somehow change our perceptions. In a larger sense, she asks, What makes some children's books work and others fail? How does art for the young reflect, distort or create a social perspective? No popular medium in our time has been as experimental, inventive, and simply alive as children's books.
248 pages, Hardcover
First published February 1, 2005
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Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews
May 8, 2020
Another reviewer noted that this book is somewhat dated; if you love vintage children's authors and illustrators like I do, then this book and its predecessor "Down the Rabbit Hole" will be just your thing. The first book captivated me slightly more than this one, but both are excellent.
March 5, 2017
Informative, but a bit dated. Lanes discusses Sendak, Steig, Gorey, Tomi, Ezra Jack Keats, and other big names from the canon of children's lit. Some of the essays were good, but overall, the author seemed to be drawing importance to herself rather than the contributions of those authors. The essays seemed to be suited more toward the general reader than scholars. It's fine for what it is, but if researching, I would skim this one for particulars rather than read the entire book.
January 10, 2012
While I enjoyed this book and found the chapters on various authors and books interesting and informative, I had a few issues with the book that prevent me from raving about it.
First, Ms. Lanes only seems familiar with authors who wrote from the late 19th century up to the 1970s. I believe the only book discussed that was published after the 70s was Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone. Although I enjoyed reading about these earlier authors (especially since much of the really great children's lit was written in the mid 1900s), I was very disappointed that the book did not contain a broader sample of children's lit. While I'm sure this has to do with Ms. Lanes's area of expertise, it bugged me that almost all the articles she put in the book were ones she had written in the 1970s as well. In a book that was published in 2004, I would have expected some more new material. I feel that if I were a critic, I would like to keep up with current material as well as the classics.
I also found that there was an overabundance of biographical detail in the essays. While I am interested in learning about Beatrix Potter's life, I am more interested in the analysis of the literature and art she produced. This type of information, while useful for providing an analytic framework, seemed overdone to me.
Despite these negative aspects, I did enjoy the book. I found the analyses insightful and interesting. Children's literature is so fun, imaginative, and important that another clear, insightful, well written book on the subject is always welcome. I think anyone with an interest in children's literature would find Through the Looking Glass a worthwhile read.
First, Ms. Lanes only seems familiar with authors who wrote from the late 19th century up to the 1970s. I believe the only book discussed that was published after the 70s was Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone. Although I enjoyed reading about these earlier authors (especially since much of the really great children's lit was written in the mid 1900s), I was very disappointed that the book did not contain a broader sample of children's lit. While I'm sure this has to do with Ms. Lanes's area of expertise, it bugged me that almost all the articles she put in the book were ones she had written in the 1970s as well. In a book that was published in 2004, I would have expected some more new material. I feel that if I were a critic, I would like to keep up with current material as well as the classics.
I also found that there was an overabundance of biographical detail in the essays. While I am interested in learning about Beatrix Potter's life, I am more interested in the analysis of the literature and art she produced. This type of information, while useful for providing an analytic framework, seemed overdone to me.
Despite these negative aspects, I did enjoy the book. I found the analyses insightful and interesting. Children's literature is so fun, imaginative, and important that another clear, insightful, well written book on the subject is always welcome. I think anyone with an interest in children's literature would find Through the Looking Glass a worthwhile read.
December 24, 2008
"With lilting voice and great enjoyment, Lanes brings us deliciously closer to the works and processes of William Steig, E.B.White, and others through personal musings and penetrating criticism full of both romance and pragmatism."
— Kirkus Reviews
— Kirkus Reviews
April 1, 2011
About to start.
January 19, 2011
Mostly skimed this book. As mucha s I love childrens lit I just could not really get into this book. Maybe someday I will pick it back up & really get into it
May 22, 2012
My favorite chapter--PC or Not to Be?, including how The Story of Little Babaji rehabilitated Little Black Sambo.
December 5, 2018
See my review here:
https://whatmeread.wordpress.com/2018...
https://whatmeread.wordpress.com/2018...
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews