Originally published in 1996. A detailed analysis of the art of children's literature covering world literature for children, children's literature as a canonical art form, the history of children's literature from a semiotic perspective, and epic, polyphony, chronotope, intertextuality, and metafiction in children's literature.

Preface. Children's Literature Coming of Age? By Way of Introduction 1. World Literature for Children 2. Children's Literature - A Canonical Art Form 3. The History of Children's Literature from a Semiotic Perspective 4. From Epic to Polyphony 5. Chronotope in Children's Literature 6. Intertextuality in Children's Literature 7. Metafiction in Children's Literature. Whither Children's Literature? By Way of Conclusion