Censorship and Children's Literature

The chapter provides an overview of the censorship of children's literature based in an analysis of the discourse of censorship. It begins with a definition of censorship and censorship practices and a brief history of the children's literature. It then discusses who censors children's literature and why as well as conceptualizations of the term “innocence” that are employed in the discourse of censorship. Finally, the chapter discusses the future of censorship of children's literature and how to protect children's access to works that are intended for them.