The Children of Green Knowe

And of course, the Bibliography lists the works referenced for the creation of this project.

Speaking of “the canon of children’s literature” is unclear, as there is not one canon.  Academics have a set of works which they study and publish about, parents have a set of works that they remember fondly and purchase for their children, and these two sets need not overlap.  “Children’s literature depends upon a canon of sentiment, and such canons are proof against attempts at academic recovery; the academic curriculum, which is based on a canon of significance, may rediscover the historical significance of a children’s author but can never truly recover it to the literature’s dominant popular canon” (Stevenson, 1997).  Many papers can be written studying the complexities in a particular book without the book being a truly enjoyable read for a child, and books that children enjoy may contain no more than surface level meaning.  Stevenson says of the sentimental canon’s formation that it “favors books that comfort over books that challenge, books that reinforce the status quo over books that attempt to change it; it renders all books safe by their very inclusion therein” (1997).  Adults have often been concerned not with challenging their child to grow or think in new ways, but in having them enjoy the innocence of their childhoods.

Although the story shows various darknesses in the house at Green Knowe - through stories from the past, Green Noah, and ever-present shadows - it is ultimately a comfort.  The good guys win the old stories, Green Noah is conquered, and the shadows are recognized as non-threatening.  No fear is left on that Christmas day.

Taylor, 1968

Distinguished Children’s Books, 1955