ANNOTATION

"Readers are assured the latest interdisciplinary scholarship from an emerging field of study that examines the social history of children and childhood. Some 445 expertly written articles bring new insight and understanding about the lived experiences of children and the many complex cultural meanings ascribed to childhood. Emphasizing social history yet treating a broad range of related topics, the set also contains a thematic outline of contents, comprehensive index, and appendix that lists important primary sources."--"Reference that rocks," American Libraries, May 2005.

SYNOPSIS

Useful as a starting point for research, probably for high school students and above, this three-volume reference contains 445 articles ranging in length from 500 to 5,000 words, written by an international cast of contributors from many disciplines. Among the themes (the complete list is in the topical outline at the beginning of volume 1): history and theories of childhood, parenting and family relations, education and schooling, race and gender, law and institutions, children's literature, representations of children and childhood, health and medicine, and body and sexuality. Within each of these themes (and some others), various aspects are addressed in signed articles, each with cross references and a bibliography. Volume 3 comprises an annotated collection of 50 primary sources selected by the editors as essential documents in the field. B&w illustrations support the text. Editor-in-chief Fass is affiliated with the U. of California, Berkeley. Annotation ©2004 Book News, Inc., Portland, OR

FROM THE CRITICS

Library Journal

Purporting to cover all aspects of children and childhood worldwide, from ancient through contemporary times, this set ranges from history and art history to religion, politics, literature, education, social sciences, law, and medicine. The 445 entries cover the likes of Erasmus, Piaget, John Locke, Lewis Carroll, and Benjamin Spock, as well as child rearing and parenting, conception and birth, school violence, single parenthood, and nontraditional families. Written by 300 subject specialists, the accurate and well-written, signed articles (500 to 5000 words apiece) include brief yet current bibliographies. Unfortunately, Internet resources are scant. One surprise is the omission of C.S. Lewis and his Narnia Chronicles, although J.K. Rowling and Harry Potter get one page, and J.R.R. Tolkien is covered in an article on the "Lord of the Rings" trilogy. With extensive cross references, content outline, and list of articles, the set is eminently accessible. A 94-page appendix provides primary source material in the areas of children's literature, law and politics, religion, education, and human rights. Useful for academic, special, and public libraries supporting early childhood, education, library science, social work, and other child/parent-related professions.-Laurie Selwyn, Grayson Cty. Law Lib., Sherman, TX Copyright 2004 Reed Business Information.