Children's Literature is an accessible introduction to this engaging field. Carrie Hintz offers a defining conceptual overview of children's literature that presents its competing histories, its cultural contexts, and the theoretical debates it has instigated. Positioned within the wider field of adult literary, film, and television culture, this book also covers: Ideological and political movements Children's literature in the age of globalization Postcolonial literature, ecocriticism, and animal studies Each chapter includes a case study featuring well-known authors and titles, including Charlotte's Web, Edward Lear, and Laura Ingalls Wilder. With a comprehensive glossary and further reading, this book is invaluable reading for anyone studying Children's Literature.