Description: "This is a book that does exactly what it says on the tin ? and then more...Tolkien is seen as so pivotal in the development of the genre that he gets a thoughtful and well researched chapter all to himself...a helpful guide to content... Her book could be a real help to the adults seeking to guide [children] into this marvellous world." -Issue 196, Amon Hen (Bulletin of the Tolkien Society)."Here is a magical thing, a reference book with a heart and soul.Brimming over with ideas, as well as facts and figures, the writingis elegant and the author's enthusiasm contagious. Here, too, anoble defence of fantasy and its literary value." - O.R. MellingFantasy has become an increasingly popular genre of children's literature in recent years; Quests and Kingdoms provides a basis from which an adult unfamiliar with the genre of children's fantasy literature may explore it. Quests is an historical survey for the interested general reader, which will be of great practical value to library and education professionals as well. Though the aim is to give adults concerned with bringing children (or teens) and books together a familiarity with the children's fantasy genre and its history, for those who already know and love the classics of children's fantasy Quests will be an introduction to works and authors they may have missed.Taking a chronological approach, Quests begins with the fairy-talecollections of d'Aulnoy, Perrault, and the Grimms and works its way up to the novels of J.K. Rowling and Garth Nix, covering over three centuries of fantasy read by children. The lives of the authors are looked at and placed in historical context, while their works are introduced through both synopses and analysis. Quests also includes chapters on Tolkien, retellings of traditional stories, and King Arthur and Robin Hood. More than 500 works by over 100 authors are discussed, and the thorough index makes the book a practical reference resource as well as a history and an introduction to the best in the genre.

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