Essays and Research Papers on Children's Literature

A 3 page paper which summarizes C.S. Lewis’ “The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe” and then examines the Christian symbolism within the story. No additional sources cited.

A 3 page paper which examines the character of Mr. Twit in Roald Dahl's "The Twits." No additional sources cited.

A 3 page book report on "Call it Courage" by Armstrong Sperry. No additional sources cited.

A 3 page paper which examines what Horatio Alger's recipe for success is as seen in "Ragged Dick" and "Mark, the Match Boy." Bibliography lists 2 sources.

A 4 page research paper that examines the topic of realistic and historical fiction. First of all, the writer defines the characteristics of each and then discusses their similarities and differences before presenting a brief appendix of both types of books that can broaden content area in social studies, particularly with emphasis on the topic ...

A 7 page essay that discusses Alice in Wonderland by Lewis Carroll and Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone by J.K. Rowling are children's books that share many points in common, as they both present fantastical worlds and fairy tale narratives that are drastically different from reality. The Harry Potter series, in general, has been ...

This 3 page paper discusses "The Hostile Hospital," the eighth book in the "Series of Unfortunate Events" series by Lemony Snicket. Bibliography lists 2 sources.

This 4 page paper discusses the themes found in Mike Lupica's novel "Travel Team." Bibliography lists 1 source.

A 4 page paper which provides a detailed overview of the summary, plot, and theme of the latest in this popular children’s novel series. Bibliography lists 2 sources.

A 3 page report on “Black Beauty” by Ann Sewell. No additional sources cited.

A 3 page paper which examines how the angel is compared by the townsfolk to a circus animal, a carnival acrobat, and a sideshow freak (a woman who had been changed into a spider), the significance of these three incidents to the story, and how they help readers to make sense of the old man ...

This 4 page paper provides a basic book report about characterization, message of the author and so forth, written in simple language and suitable for the young student. Some quotes are included. No additional sources cited.

A 4 page research paper that, first of all, looks at a timeline of events, then offers a description of the main characters, and closes with by relating ten examples of the author's use of sensory images. No additional sources cited.

This 3 page paper discusses Rapunzel's view of women, based on a reading of the classic fairy tale by the brothers Grimm. Bibliography lists 1 source.

A 3 page essay on Andersen. The fairy tales of Hans Christian Andersen were never meant to be read solely by children. The fact that Andersen's style frequently disguises a sophisticated moral message suggests that he also intended these stories to speak to adults. One of Andersen's best-known tales is "The Emperor's New Clothes," which ...

A 4 page paper which argues that this tale emphasizes the importance of looking beyond appearances to the person within. Bibliography lists 3 sources.

This 5 page paper examines old and new versions of the Cinderella story. They are evaluated in terms of which are most suitable for children. The versions are compared and contrasted. Bibliography lists 4 sources.

This 3 page paper discusses the book Mr. Pipes Comes to America by Douglas Bond. Bibliography lists 3 sources

A 4 page book review that examines the fifth book in the Harry Potter series. The writer focuses on Rowling's ability to create superb characterization within the framework of an intriguing plot, and, also, briefly touches on the controversy surrounding these books. Bibliography lists 3 sources.

A 4 page essay that discusses the significance of the forest setting in the fairy tales of the Brothers Grimm, specifically Hansel and Gretel. The writer argues that the forest setting had particular significance for the Grimm brothers and that it works allegorically within the tale. Bibliography lists 2 sources.

A 4 page paper on the book “On My Own” by Francine Pascal. Bibliography lists 1 additional source.

A 3 page essay that analyzes the symbolic meaning of the Grimms' fairy tale Hansel and Gretel. On April 18, 1805, Jacob Grimm wrote to his brother Wilhelm that, in his opinion, the only time when a conceptualization of the past, that is, the "world of knights," was possible was in the forest (Zipes 68). ...

A 3 page paper which examines E.B. White’s “Charlotte’s Web” in relationship to speaking and how the animals speak and how the human girl Fern can understand them but does not speak with them. No additional sources cited.

This 3 page paper describes the function of the narrator in the wonderful children's books "Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone" and "A Wizard of Earthsea." Bibliography lists 3 sources.

A 3 page paper which examines the theme of names in Joseph Bruchac’s “The Heart of a Chief.” No additional sources cited.