Key elements of children's literature

The readings in Module One have prompted me to wonder if literature goes beyond entertainment to offer a more transformative experience? I maintain that some books aimed at both children and adults are just stories, pieces of entertainment, you read them, you enjoy them, then you're done. However, literature creates some kind of tension where the reader is encouraged to reconsider their own values, thoughts or feelings. Literature provides an aspect of personal challenge.

For example, 'Fox' by Margaret Wild and Ron Brooks is a story about friendship, acceptance, jealousy, and betrayal. But it is a complex story; one is left wondering at the conclusion of the book, there is no tidy ending. The themes of the story stay with the reader a long time after one finishes reading. Indeed, several people reading the same book may have different responses and interpretations, and that is ok, as each reader is creating and experiencing their own literary transformation.

There are other elements such as engaging the imagination, relatable characters, format and length, that make for some differences in how literature for children and adults is presented and marketed. However, even young children are capable of understanding and reflecting upon complex material, so I tend to think it's best not to sell child readers short!