| Rooted in a multicultural perspective, the primary purpose of this descriptive survey is to develop a definition of Appalachian children's literature. The study shows that Appalachian children's literature is defined by setting and place and distinguished from other multicultural literature by the manner in which recurring traits manifest themselves across authors, genres, and decades. The definition of Appalachian children's literature formulated for this study is framed and informed by the history of published Appalachian children's literature with a Eurocentric perspective. This broad history highlights various authors, the genres they produced, and the influences affecting their work. Also informing this definition of Appalachian children's literature are the inside perspectives of two, contemporary Appalachian children's authors.; The specific methods of data collection for this study include: a survey of selected professionals associated with Appalachia and children's literature; interviews of Appalachian children's authors; close readings and analysis of numerous volumes of Appalachian children's literature spanning authors, genres, and decades; site visits; and other experiences that helped inform the study. Analysis of the data collected for the study is discursive.; This study provides resource material for future critical and scholarly writings about Appalachian children's literature. The study also challenges educators reading this document to broaden their perspectives regarding the Appalachian culture and region. |
