Picture 1 of 1
Stock photo
Picture 1 of 1
Stock photo
Tales for Little Rebels : A Collection of Radical Children's Literature by Philip Nel (2008, Hardcover)
AlibrisBooks (460044)
98.6% positive Feedback
Price:
US $115.72
Approximately£86.26
+ $16.95 postage
Returns:
30 days return. Buyer pays for return postage. If you use an eBay delivery label, it will be deducted from your refund amount.
Condition:
New Hard cover
- Buy it nowTales for Little Rebels: A Collection of Radical Children's Literature: New
Oops! Looks like we're having trouble connecting to our server.
Refresh your browser window to try again.
About this product
Product Identifiers
PublisherNew York University Press
ISBN-100814757200
ISBN-139780814757208
eBay Product ID (ePID)66719577
Product Key Features
Book TitleTales for Little Rebels : a Collection of Radical Children's
Number of Pages313 Pages
LanguageEnglish
Publication Year2008
TopicUnited States / 20th Century, Literary Criticism & Collections, Children's Studies, Children's & Young Adult Literature, General, American / General, Subjects & Themes / Politics
IllustratorYes
GenreLiterary Criticism, Social Science, Juvenile Nonfiction, Literary Collections, History
AuthorPhilip Nel
FormatHardcover
Dimensions
Item Length11 in
Item Width8 in
Additional Product Features
Intended AudienceScholarly & Professional
LCCN2008-020926
Reviews"Sure, this is an important work. But it ain't stuffy. Mickenberg and Nel have created a book that fascinates and entertains. A must for any student of history or children's books." -Lane Smith,author of John, Paul, George & Ben and illustrator of The Stinky Cheese Man, The collection focuses on a fascinating combination of ideology and creativity introducing its readers to a multiplicity of ways didactic messages were presented to a childrens audience. This anthology is important for scholars of Russian literature because it shows the inherent elements of childrens literature that permits its use (and abuse) for ideological purposes., "By introducing kids (and their parents) to a wide range of forgotten and overlooked texts addressing progressive themes, and by provoking a closer look at what the books we already own imply, Mickenberg and Nel have done parents and kids alike a truly important service." -The Texas Observer, "The collection focuses on a fascinating combination of ideology and creativity introducing its readers to a multiplicity of ways didactic messages were presented to a children's audience. This anthology is important for scholars of Russian literature because it shows the inherent elements of children's literature that permits its use (and abuse) for ideological purposes."- Working Group for Study of Russian Children's Literature and Culture blog, "Tales for Little Rebels is indeed a timely collection and one that serves as an excellent touchstone for future research into a 'usable past' for contemporary academics." - Children's Literature Association Quarterly, "Financial behemoths have been nationalized. There are even rumors of universal health care. Socialism is on the march! As we leave capitalism behind, the traditionalists among you may be wondering: Will they come for our children? Too late. As Mickenberg and Nel document in Tales for Little Rebels, Marxist principles have been dripping steadily into the minds of American youth for more than a century. . . . As America backs cautiously away from its laissez-faire disasters and reluctantly into an unfamiliar, communal style of politics, some of us may find ourselves wishing we had been scared with such rhymes in kindergarten instead of having had to live through them as adults." - The New York Times Book Review, A rarely discussed aspect of childrens literaturethe politics behind, or part, of a books creationhas been thoroughly explored in this intelligent, enlightening, and fascinating account. Even those who have spent a lifetime studying childrens books will find incredible surprises, such as Walter Cranes & Happy Valley or information about Lynd Wards political activism. But the book is not merely a history; it is a very timely exploration of the appropriate inclusion of political/social content in childrens books, and it provides examples of titles that succeed as literature and those in which politics overwhelm the story. Every academic and public library should own a copy; every childrens literature professor needs to read it; all childrens book enthusiasts will want to share it with their colleagues., "Consistently fascinating. . . . Boast[s] authors as skilled as Carl Sandburg, Munro (Ferdinand the Bull) Leaf, Dr. Seuss, Eve Merriam and Langston Hughes." - Toronto Globe and Mail, "Whileis clearly intended as a textbook for a college course on this subject, the variety within this anthology should suggest it is well worth extended investigation. We may even begin questioning the degree of propaganda that surrounds our daily life as adults and realize such story-telling is no longer limited only to the realm of childhood."-American Communist History,, "I have a soft spot for beautiful and thoughtful children's books, especially children's literature with timeless philosophy for grown-ups...Tales for Little Rebels made me think of the subtle ideological messages in some of my favorite recent children's books." -Maria Popova, The Atlantic, Tales for Little Rebels is indeed a timely collection and one that serves as an excellent touchstone for future research into a & usable past for contemporary academics., "Tales for Little Rebels anthologizes 75 years of radical children's literature. It's a rousing, relevant chronicle of teaching kids about social and environmental justice, civil rights, and their power to challenge the status quo." -Julie Hanus, The Utne Reader, This book reveals a unique, vibrant, imaginative, and energetic left-wing tradition of writing for young people. It is an invaluable resource for progressive educators and hopefully will inspire teachers to write and even publish their own children's books dealing with sensitive political and social issues., "Mickenberg and Nel have done a real service in reclaiming these selections of children's literature, some by such well known children's book authors as Julius Lester and Dr. Seuss but many from writers whose reputations were made and works published on the barricades of the Left." - The Horn Book Inc., "Julia Mickenburg and Philip Nel have edited a collection of children's literature that represents the left-wing-oriented, oppositional tradition in children's literature in the United States. And a lovely collection it is!... Mickenburg and Nel have done all of us -parents, activists, writers-a service by providing examples of what has been done. The task remains to carry this forward."- Science & Society ,, As an educator, I share the belief that all of the authors in this collection must also have held as truth: that children are indeed the future, and to bring about social change, one needs to begin by changing the hearts and minds of children... I believe lovers of social/political history and inquiring minds in general, [sic] would find this collection appealing., A ribald, witty, sometimes fun, sometimes thoughtful examination of a wide swath of too little-known literature., Sure, this is an important work. But it aint stuffy. Mickenberg and Nel have created a book that fascinates and entertains. A must for any student of history or childrens books., "Readers looking for the animals, sprites, and other characters common to children's literature will find them, with a twist." - The Chronicle Review, ("As an educator, I share the belief that all of the authors in this collection must also have held as truth: that children are indeed the future, and to bring about social change, one needs to begin by changing the hearts and minds of children... I believe lovers of social/political history and inquiring minds in general, [sic] would find this collection appealing.")-(Style Substance Soul),(), "By introducing kids (and their parents) to a wide range of forgotten and overlooked texts addressing progressive themes, and by provoking a closer look at what the books we already own imply, Mickenberg and Nel have done parents and kids alike a truly important service." - The Texas Observer, Consistently fascinating. . . . Boast[s] authors as skilled as Carl Sandburg, Munro (Ferdinand the Bull) Leaf, Dr. Seuss, Eve Merriam and Langston Hughes., "Financial behemoths have been nationalized. There are even rumors of universal health care. Socialism is on the march! As we leave capitalism behind, the traditionalists among you may be wondering:Will they come for our children?Too late. As Mickenberg and Nel document inTales for Little Rebels, Marxist principles have been dripping steadily into the minds of American youth for more than a century. . . . As America backs cautiously away from its laissez-faire disasters and reluctantly into an unfamiliar, communal style of politics, some of us may find ourselves wishing we had been scared with such rhymes in kindergarten instead of having had to live through them as adults." -The New York Times Book Review, Financial behemoths have been nationalized. There are even rumors of universal health care. Socialism is on the march! As we leave capitalism behind, the traditionalists among you may be wondering: Will they come for our children? Too late. As Mickenberg and Nel document in Tales for Little Rebels, Marxist principles have been dripping steadily into the minds of American youth for more than a century. . . . As America backs cautiously away from its laissez-faire disasters and reluctantly into an unfamiliar, communal style of politics, some of us may find ourselves wishing we had been scared with such rhymes in kindergarten instead of having had to live through them as adults., "Financial behemoths have been nationalized. There are even rumors of universal health care. Socialism is on the march! As we leave capitalism behind, the traditionalists among you may be wondering: Will they come for our children? Too late. As Mickenberg and Nel document in Tales for Little Rebels , Marxist principles have been dripping steadily into the minds of American youth for more than a century. . . . As America backs cautiously away from its laissez-faire disasters and reluctantly into an unfamiliar, communal style of politics, some of us may find ourselves wishing we had been scared with such rhymes in kindergarten instead of having had to live through them as adults." - The New York Times Book Review, "A rarely discussed aspect of children's literature-the politics behind, or part, of a book's creation-has been thoroughly explored in this intelligent, enlightening, and fascinating account. Even those who have spent a lifetime studying children's books will find incredible surprises, such as Walter Crane's 'Happy Valley' or information about Lynd Ward's political activism. But the book is not merely a history; it is a very timely exploration of the appropriate inclusion of political/social content in children's books, and it provides examples of titles that succeed as literature and those in which politics overwhelm the story. Every academic and public library should own a © every children's literature professor needs to read it; all children's book enthusiasts will want to share it with their colleagues." -Anita Silvey,author of 100 Best Books for Children, "Whileis clearly intended as a textbook for a college course on this subject, the variety within this anthology should suggest it is well worth extended investigation. We may even begin questioning the degree of propaganda that surrounds our daily life as adults and realize such story-telling is no longer limited only to the realm of childhood."- American Communist History, For those who want to understand a time when radicals could think of themselves as having a central place in U.S. culture, right down to science instruction; for those who cherish beautiful, playful, wistful and stark illustrations; for those who can use reminders, after horrors and defeats, of the bedrock ethical bases of socialism, for those who want to know where a Dr. Seuss came from, and what he was part of, and for those who still think the world could use more little and grown-up rebels, this is the book., "A remarkable book. . . . The prose excerpts are fascinating; the illustrations are perfectly fabulous and, very often, really funny. . . . There is so much here, and something unique for everyone except sourpuss defenders of the status quo." - Paul Buhle, Monthly Review, "Julia Mickenburg and Philip Nel have edited a collection of children's literature that represents the left-wing-oriented, oppositional tradition in children's literature in the United States. And a lovely collection it is!... Mickenburg and Nel have done all of us -parents, activists, writers-a service by providing examples of what has been done. The task remains to carry this forward."- Science & Society, "This superb study of transracial adoption in the United States addresses profoundly vexing and divisive questions about the social, biological, cultural, and political meanings of identity. Displaying a rare blend of sociological wisdom, empathy, and eloquence, BirthMarks demonstrates how and why there can be no such thing as color-blind families or adoption policies so long as the color line remains an intractable American dilemma. Anyone who cares about the changing contours of families and race today should eagerly adopt this marvelous book." - Judith Stacey, author of In the Name of the Family, "As an educator, I share the belief that all of the authors in this collection must also have held as truth: that children are indeed the future, and to bring about social change, one needs to begin by changing the hearts and minds of children... I believe lovers of social/political history and inquiring minds in general, [sic] would find this collection appealing."-Style Substance Soul,, By introducing kids (and their parents) to a wide range of forgotten and overlooked texts addressing progressive themes, and by provoking a closer look at what the books we already own imply, Mickenberg and Nel have done parents and kids alike a truly important service., I have a soft spot for beautiful and thoughtful children's books, especially children's literature with timeless philosophy for grown-ups...Tales for Little Rebels made me think of the subtle ideological messages in some of my favorite recent children's books., "As an educator, I share the belief that all of the authors in this collection must also have held as truth: that children are indeed the future, and to bring about social change, one needs to begin by changing the hearts and minds of children... I believe lovers of social/political history and inquiring minds in general, [sic] would find this collection appealing."- Style Substance Soul, "Julia Mickenburg and Philip Nel have edited a collection of children's literature that represents the left-wing-oriented, oppositional tradition in children's literature in the United States. And a lovely collection it is!... Mickenburg and Nel have done all of us -parents, activists, writers-a service by providing examples of what has been done. The task remains to carry this forward."-Science & Society,, A remarkable book. . . . The prose excerpts are fascinating; the illustrations are perfectly fabulous and, very often, really funny. . . . There is so much here, and something unique for everyone except sourpuss defenders of the status quo., "Readers looking for the animals, sprites, and other characters common to children's literature will find them, with a twist." -The Chronicle Review, "This book reveals a unique, vibrant, imaginative, and energetic left-wing tradition of writing for young people. It is an invaluable resource for progressive educators and hopefully will inspire teachers to write and even publish their own children's books dealing with sensitive political and social issues." - Rethinking Schools Online, Mickenberg and Nel have switched on the power of radical childrens literature to maximum wattage, revealing a rich, compelling tradition that deserves our attention. Creating an archive that will have authority and endurance, they have recovered stories encouraging children to engage with social, economic, and environment challenges and to become agents of change., "A remarkable book. . . . The prose excerpts are fascinating; the illustrations are perfectly fabulous and, very often, really funny. . . . There is so much here, and something unique for everyone except sourpuss defenders of the status quo." -Paul Buhle , Monthly Review, ("Julia Mickenburg and Philip Nel have edited a collection of children's literature that represents the left-wing-oriented, oppositional tradition in children's literature in the United States. And a lovely collection it is!... Mickenburg and Nel have done all of us -parents, activists, writers-a service by providing examples of what has been done. The task remains to carry this forward.")-(Science & Society),(), "A ribald, witty, sometimes fun, sometimes thoughtful examination of a wide swath of too little-known literature." - www.schoollibrary.com, "A remarkable book. . . . The prose excerpts are fascinating; the illustrations are perfectly fabulous and, very often, really funny. . . . There is so much here, and something unique for everyone except sourpuss defenders of the status quo." - Paul Buhle,Monthly Review, "For those who want to understand a time when radicals could think of themselves as having a central place in U.S. culture, right down to science instruction; for those who cherish beautiful, playful, wistful and stark illustrations; for those who can use reminders, after horrors and defeats, of the bedrock ethical bases of socialism, for those who want to know where a Dr. Seuss came from, and what he was part of, and for those who still think the world could use more little and grown-up rebels, this is the book." -David Roediger,University of Illinois, and author of How Race Survived U.S. History, Readers looking for the animals, sprites, and other characters common to childrens literature will find them, with a twist., While is clearly intended as a textbook for a college course on this subject, the variety within this anthology should suggest it is well worth extended investigation. We may even begin questioning the degree of propaganda that surrounds our daily life as adults and realize such story-telling is no longer limited only to the realm of childhood., Julia Mickenburg and Philip Nel have edited a collection of children's literature that represents the left-wing-oriented, oppositional tradition in children's literature in the United States. And a lovely collection it is!... Mickenburg and Nel have done all of us -parents, activists, writers-a service by providing examples of what has been done. The task remains to carry this forward., ("Whileis clearly intended as a textbook for a college course on this subject, the variety within this anthology should suggest it is well worth extended investigation. We may even begin questioning the degree of propaganda that surrounds our daily life as adults and realize such story-telling is no longer limited only to the realm of childhood.")-(American Communist History),(), "Tales for Little Rebelsanthologizes 75 years of radical children's literature. It's a rousing, relevant chronicle of teaching kids about social and environmental justice, civil rights, and their power to challenge the status quo." - Julie Hanus,The Utne Reader, Julia Mickenburg and Philip Nel have edited a collection of childrens literature that represents the left-wing-oriented, oppositional tradition in childrens literature in the United States. And a lovely collection it is!... Mickenburg and Nel have done all of us parents, activists, writersa service by providing examples of what has been done. The task remains to carry this forward., " Tales for Little Rebels anthologizes 75 years of radical children's literature. It's a rousing, relevant chronicle of teaching kids about social and environmental justice, civil rights, and their power to challenge the status quo." - Julie Hanus, The Utne Reader, Whileis clearly intended as a textbook for a college course on this subject, the variety within this anthology should suggest it is well worth extended investigation. We may even begin questioning the degree of propaganda that surrounds our daily life as adults and realize such story-telling is no longer limited only to the realm of childhood., "As an educator, I share the belief that all of the authors in this collection must also have held as truth: that children are indeed the future, and to bring about social change, one needs to begin by changing the hearts and minds of children... I believe lovers of social/political history and inquiring minds in general, [sic] would find this collection appealing."- Style Substance Soul ,, "A rarely discussed aspect of children's literature-the politics behind, or part, of a book's creation-has been thoroughly explored in this intelligent, enlightening, and fascinating account. . . . Every academic and public library should own a copy; every children's literature professor needs to read it; all children's book enthusiasts will want to share it with their colleagues." Anita Silvey, author of100 Best Books for Children"Readers looking for the animals, sprites, and other characters common to children's literature will find them, with a twist."The Chronicle Review"...consistently fascinating...boast[s] authors as skilled as Carl Sandburg, Munro (Ferdinand the Bull) Leaf, Dr. Seuss, Eve Merriam and Langston Hughes."Toronto Globe and Mail"Mickenberg and Nel have switched on the power of radical children's literature to maximum wattage, revealing a rich, compelling tradition that deserves our attention. Creating an archive that will have authority and endurance, they have recovered stories encouraging children to engage with social, economic, and environment challenges and to become agents of change." Maria Tatar, Harvard University, and author ofThe Annotated Hans Christian Andersen"For those who want to understand a time when radicals could think of themselves as having a central place in U.S. culture, right down to science instruction; for those who cherish beautiful, playful, wistful and stark illustrations; for those who can use reminders, after horrors and defeats, of the bedrock ethical bases of socialism, for those who want to know where a Dr. Seuss came from, and what he was part of, and for those who still think the world could use more little and grown-up rebels, this is the book." David Roediger, University of Illinois, and author ofHow Race Survived U.S. History"Sure, this is an important work. But it ain't stuffy. Mickenberg and Nel have created a book that fascinates and entertains. A must for any student of history or children's books." Lane Smith, author ofJohn, Paul, George & Benand illustrator ofThe Stinky Cheese Man"As Julia L. Mickenberg and Philip Nel document inTales for Little Rebels: A Collection of Radical Children's Literature, Marxist principles have been dripping steadily into the minds of American youth for more than a century...[they] have nonetheless found 44 texts that attempt to attach children to social justice permanently...so permeated is children's literature by progressive ideals that Mickenberg and Nel were forced to narrow their scope by focussing on texts that have fallen out of print. They group their discoveries according to such themes as economics, unionization and respect for individual difference...in the next few years, as America backs cautiously away from its laissez-faire disasters and reluctantly into an unfamiliar, communal style of politics, some of us may find ourselves wishing we had been scared with such rhymes in kindergarten instead of having to live through them as adults." Caleb Crain,The New York Times, 9th Jan 2009 "Tales for Little Rebels(NYU) anthologizes 75 years of radical children's literature. It's a rousing, relevant chronicle of teaching kids about social and environmental justice, civil rights, and their power to challenge the status quo." Julie Hanus,Utne ReaderJan-Feb 2009, Mickenberg and Nel have done a real service in reclaiming these selections of children's literature, some by such well known childrens book authors as Julius Lester and Dr. Seuss but many from writers whose reputations were made and works published on the barricades of the Left., "Mickenberg and Nel have switched on the power of radical children's literature to maximum wattage, revealing a rich, compelling tradition that deserves our attention. Creating an archive that will have authority and endurance, they have recovered stories encouraging children to engage with social, economic, and environment challenges and to become agents of change." -Maria Tatar,Harvard University, and author of The Annotated Hans Christian Andersen, Tales for Little Rebels anthologizes 75 years of radical childrens literature. Its a rousing, relevant chronicle of teaching kids about social and environmental justice, civil rights, and their power to challenge the status quo.
Dewey Edition22
Dewey Decimal810.809282
SynopsisCheck out this interview with the author on C-SPAN! In 1912, a revolutionary chick cries, "Strike down the wall!" and liberates itself from the "egg state." In 1940, ostriches pull their heads out of the sand and unite to fight fascism. In 1972, Baby X grows up without a gender and is happy about it. Rather than teaching children to obey authority, to conform, or to seek redemption through prayer, twentieth-century leftists encouraged children to question the authority of those in power. Tales for Little Rebels collects forty-three mostly out-of-print stories, poems, comic strips, primers, and other texts for children that embody this radical tradition. These pieces reflect the concerns of twentieth-century leftist movements, like peace, civil rights, gender equality, environmental responsibility, and the dignity of labor. They also address the means of achieving these ideals, including taking collective action, developing critical thinking skills, and harnessing the liberating power of the imagination. Some of the authors and illustrators are familiar, including Lucille Clifton, Syd Hoff, Langston Hughes, Walt Kelly, Norma Klein, Munro Leaf, Julius Lester, Eve Merriam, Charlotte Pomerantz, Carl Sandburg, and Dr. Seuss. Others are relatively unknown today, but their work deserves to be remembered. (Each of the pieces includes an introduction and a biographical sketch of the author.) From the anti-advertising message of Johnny Get Your Money's Worth (and Jane Too)! (1938) to the entertaining lessons in ecology provided by The Day They Parachuted Cats on Borneo (1971), and Sandburg's mockery of war in Rootabaga Pigeons (1923), these pieces will thrill readers intrigued by politics and history--and anyone with a love of children's literature, no matter what age. Check out co-editor Philip Nel discussing this book on NPR here., Check out this interview with the author on C-SPAN In 1912, a revolutionary chick cries, "Strike down the wall " and liberates itself from the "egg state." In 1940, ostriches pull their heads out of the sand and unite to fight fascism. In 1972, Baby X grows up without a gender and is happy about it. Rather than teaching children to obey authority, to conform, or to seek redemption through prayer, twentieth-century leftists encouraged children to question the authority of those in power. Tales for Little Rebels collects forty-three mostly out-of-print stories, poems, comic strips, primers, and other texts for children that embody this radical tradition. These pieces reflect the concerns of twentieth-century leftist movements, like peace, civil rights, gender equality, environmental responsibility, and the dignity of labor. They also address the means of achieving these ideals, including taking collective action, developing critical thinking skills, and harnessing the liberating power of the imagination. Some of the authors and illustrators are familiar, including Lucille Clifton, Syd Hoff, Langston Hughes, Walt Kelly, Norma Klein, Munro Leaf, Julius Lester, Eve Merriam, Charlotte Pomerantz, Carl Sandburg, and Dr. Seuss. Others are relatively unknown today, but their work deserves to be remembered. (Each of the pieces includes an introduction and a biographical sketch of the author.) From the anti-advertising message of Johnny Get Your Money's Worth (and Jane Too) (1938) to the entertaining lessons in ecology provided by The Day They Parachuted Cats on Borneo (1971), and Sandburg's mockery of war in Rootabaga Pigeons (1923), these pieces will thrill readers intrigued by politics and history--and anyone with a love of children's literature, no matter what age. Check out co-editor Philip Nel discussing this book on NPR here.
LC Classification NumberPS509.C519T36 2008
