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A.) What were historical events for your era?

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A.) What were historical events for your era?

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During the Middle Ages (500-1500) a variety of events occurred. One of them being the “First Crusade” in 1095. At this point in time, western forces created a military campaign that hoped to recapture the city Jerusalem as well as the holy land from Muslim control. In 1099 Christians succeeded in this crusade, taking full control of Jerusalem. But that wasn’t the only crusade. In 1212, thousands of children attempted to start a crusade. 12-year-old Stephen of Cloyes was convinced by a priest that heaven had chosen him to recover the Holy Sepulchre. Although these children didn’t carry weapons, they believed they could convert Muslims with divine intervention. Relating this back to the effect on children, during this era children weren’t seen as babies, they were viewed as mini adults. Children were allowed to start these kinds of movements and simply leave home. Literature could’ve been a possible outlet or even given a new perspective considering Stephen was convinced by a priest.

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B. What were children's books milestones?

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B. What were children's books milestones?

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Initially children’s books were mainly focused on teaching morals, social roles, and religious values. Hornbooks were first used and seen as textbooks. Teaching kids the alphabet and basic prayers and these types of books were mainly accessible to the rich. In the beginning, they were often more instructional than entertaining. During 1744, "A little pretty pocket-book" by John Newbery was often seen as one of the earliest works created specifically for children, combining fun with learning. Around this time, fairy tales by writers such as Charles Perrault and later the Brothers Grimm also were developed. Though often filled with dark themes, these stories fascinated and entertained young readers. That in itself already changed how children viewed books. It went from lessons and religion to creative fantasy stories they can imagine and actually find entertaining.

Another milestone during the Middle Ages was the creation of bestiaries, which were books featuring descriptions and illustrations of real and mythical animals, these again came along with a moral or lesson.

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C.) Children's Books from that Era (Titles and Years, Pictures if you can find it). Why were they significant to that era?

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C.) Children's Books from that Era (Titles and Years, Pictures if you can find it). Why were they significant to that era?

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In the Middle Ages there aren't considered to be specifically "children's books." Instead, a lot of children's literature consists of folktales, fables, and legends.

Robin Hood:

Earliest reference: 1377-14th century

Earliest Text: "Robin Hood and the Monk," written around 1450 (Middle English ballad)

Robin Hood was important for its time because it depicted an English folk hero. Someone who would steal from the rich and give to the poor.

The Crow and the Pitcher:

(Originally made before the time but is still relevant and retold during the Middle Ages)

There's a fable collection made around the 2nd century AD, but there is a Latin verse collection made around the 4th-5th century AD. The story "The Crow and the Pitcher" became significant because of its Latin versions. Having it teach important lessons on overcoming difficult situations.

The Ant and the Grasshopper:

Gained popularity in the 12th-15th century.

The story originated in the 6th century BCE, but there were different adaptations throughout the Middle Ages.

It teaches a moral lesson on hard work and planning for the future.

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D) How does it connect and  affect children's literature today?

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D) How does it connect and  affect children's literature today?

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The ideas and structures of tales from this time period have been seen in almost every facet of modern children's media. One of the more obvious examples is ‘Beowulf’, the oldest preserved folktale, commonly read in upper level English. This story is an early depiction of the "Hero's Journey” , a common plot diagram used primarily in Fantasy and Supernatural Fiction. It’s been seen in YA novels such as ‘The Hunger Games’ and children's fiction such as ‘Harry Potter’. It's also been depicted in movies such as ‘Spiderman: Homecoming’ and Disney’s animated film ‘Aladdin’.

A less commonly known book from this time would be the ‘Distichs Of Cato’, Published in the 3rd to 4th century by Dionysus Cato. It was a popular Latin textbook for schoolchildren that not only taught them Latin, but taught them moral lessons. Its translations were used in schools across Europe until the 1980s.

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E.) One piece of children's literature from your era and evaluate and analyze if it is considered a good piece based on prior lectures' key points.

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E.) One piece of children's literature from your era and evaluate and analyze if it is considered a good piece based on prior lectures' key points.

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One piece of children's literature from the Middle Ages is Robin Hood and the Monk (1450). The story follows Robin as he goes to church, a monk spots him and alerts the authorities, accusing Robin of being a traitor and a thief as he tries to escape. Based on the time period it came out, I think it's a good piece of literature. It was stimulating to see how John would try and free Robin from his imprisonment. But, there were a lot of acts of violence and classism in this story that, for young readers today, might be hard to classify as a children's story. Overall for the time period I found the story to be a good piece of children's literature.