This revised and updated edition provides children's and young adult librarians, teachers, literature classes, and library school classes with an authoritative history and analysis of the best British and American children's literature through 1994, with a new 2003 postscript including such recent phenomenons as J.K.Rowling and Philip Pullman. Written for Children traces the development of children's literature from its origins through the beginnings of the multimedia revolution. In effortless and entertaining style, Townsend, a world-renowned authority in the field, examines the changing attitudes toward children and their literature and analyzes the various strands that make up this important field. While examining many well-known American classics, Townsend also looks at British works that American audiences may have overlooked. With illustrations and bibliography.

"...an impressive and comprehensive overview of literature for children and YAs." - VOYA

"[Townsend's]... critical voice is unpretentious and down-to-earth, insightful and often witty. The result is a user-friendly and straightforward guide to significant authors, illustrators and titles from medieval England to the present day." - Teacher Librarian

"...examines the changing attitudes of children toward literature and also discusses the classics. The history of children's literature is traced from its origins to the multimedia era." - School Library Media Quarterly