The Mythology of the Animal Farm in Children's Literature: Over the Fence

(Hardback)

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The Mythology of the Animal Farm in Childrens Literature: Over the Fence analyzes the ways in which myths about farmed animals lives are perpetuated in childrens materials. Specifically, this book investigates the use of five recurring thematic devices in about eighty books for young children published during the past five decades. The close readings of texts and images draw on a wide range of fields, including animal theory, psychoanalytic and Marxian literary criticism, child development theory, histories of farming and domestication, and postcolonial theory. In spite of the underlying seriousness of the project, the material lends itself to humorous and not overly heavy-handed explications that provide insight into the complex workings of a literary genre based on the covering up of real animal lives.

Reviews

Stacy Hoult Saros book, The Mythology of the Animal Farm in Childrens Literature: Over the Fence, offers an insightful and necessary lens through which to examine childrens literature and its persistent, misleading view of animals in general and farmed animals in particular. Through Hoult-Saros eyes we learn to perceive childrens literature anew and envision a path that will be more honest to children and enable them to effectively perceive and address injustices and cruelty towards animals. This is a tremendously important contribution and offers a path forward for both children and animals. -- Zoe Weil, President, Institute for Humane Education
In her book The Mythology of the Animal Farm in Children's Literature: Over the Fence, Dr. Hoult-Saros provides us with fresh look at the relationship between animals and humans in a farm setting. Her mastery of critical interpretation, combined with personal reflection and examples combine to make this an important addition to the field of animal studies as well as an excellent read. -- Jody Ballah, University of Cincinnat Blue Ash College

Author Bio

Stacy Hoult-Saros is associate professor of Spanish at Valparaiso University