Since about November of last year (starting with a staff position at the wonderful *WordCount), I have been doing my very best to expose existing and generate new children's literature on deviantART.

_{I've also written quite a bit of my own, which can always be found here if you one day felt inclined.}

I could go on, but this is a feature, and it doesn't need a long explanation for where it all came from. I shall let these great pieces speak for themselves! (Okay - with a little introduction where I deem it necessary.)

Three pieces never before featured: (to the best of my knowledge)

Prose

'Rooster's Story' by ~Ebeho

As you'll see in the accompanying comments, the author of this piece was challenged to write a love story about chickens. Everyone knows chickens are funny. Read this sweet, well-written tale of romance and see what images fill your head!

Poetry

'Escape' by ~cuoha



This poem uses a classic formula. It puts the child protagonist in a familiar situation, in this case a day at the zoo, and leads into an event that the child reader would love to imagine can happen when he or she is in that situation - although they would know that in reality it is very unlikely and potentially dangerous.

'Terrance Eats Knowledge' by ~Eriboss

This piece was discovered and suggested for this feature by ~cuoha. It is a jaunty rhyming poem that uses metaphor to caution the child on a subliminal level. On a conscious level, most children will be more appreciative of the slightly macabre but undeniably fun little story.

A few of my favourite children's stories to have been featured with *WordCount:

'The Fairy and the Farmer' by ~YuureiSan



We have here a thought-provoking, bittersweet story reminiscent of those old moral tales by the likes of the Brothers Grimm. It centres around two characters, both very well written and, in their own different ways, likeable. I must add that this piece was not discovered by me, as it was featured before I joined the staff.

'The Thing at the Bottom of the Stairs' by ~QueenAlatariel



The first in a long series, this story is fun, gripping and generally a rip-roaring good read. This was the first discovery I made for *WordCount when I joined their staff. It was also featured as a daily deviation by `GunShyMartyr on December 17th 2007.

'The Story of Jorge' by ~anathemadevice



When I first found this story, I was drawn in by the very fact that the protagonist is an insect. Reading on, I found it to be very well written and highly entertaining. If you're looking for something short and sweet, this more or less traditional fairytale could be the one for you!

'Enemy in the Water' by ~JoieD



This retelling of a classic tale is not afraid to push boundaries. It demonstrates that style in a children's story is at least as important as content with its vivid, evocative descriptions that fuel the imagination.

Entries to Tots and Teens: The Children's Literature Contest

This contest was run by *batousaijin and me from February 25th to April 30th 2008. Here, I do not discriminate between winners and those that came close, but if you want to see how the pieces were placed - if at all - the results of the contest are here.

Poetry

'War Memories' by =Yuskity



According to the poet, this piece still needs some work. If that's true, she at least has a promising start with this jaunty, well-structured poem whose macabre element I am sure children would relish.

'BFF' by ~tricksyriver



This is a sweet, childish poem that becomes increasingly more than a sweet, childish poem every time you read it. I love the imagery, the evocativeness and the quirky turn of phrase. The poet makes excellent use of recurring images of nature and food that allude to the growth of the child, both physically and mentally. This poem takes me right back.

'The Dragons' Way' by `Rushy



This is a fun, well structured little poem that I can just imagine lavishly illustrated in a tall, wide, thin paperback. `Rushy's descriptions of dragons can hardly fail to appeal to a child's imagination.

Fiction: 12 and Under

'The Together Rings' by *msklystron



Jewellery can have immense significance to little girls. Sometimes entire friendships can rest on it. This is a charming, beautifully written story that explores this theme, with a balance of fantasy and realism that the author gets exactly right.

'Magic' by *ElectroBaby



As we know, the line between reality and fantasy becomes increasingly sharper as we grow. This is a timeless theme in children's literature, and here *ElectroBaby finds yet another new way of exploring it. She tells a charming story of a girl who is growing up, but is determined never to let go of her belief in magic.

'Shaking Dreamcatchers' by ~RockerLane1110



This story deals well with a sensitive subject, and tugs on the heartstrings. It is very well written, and beautifully captures the voices of the children.

Teen Fiction

'Bad Accent' by =illuminara



Perhaps this story's greatest asset is the way that it beautifully captures the teenage voice. The author has gone with the tradition of following a male/female friendship and, of course, the problems therein - and she's done it better than a lot of published authors can!

The Green Dragon - Chapter 11 by ~BlueShadowM



I don't need to tell you how popular fantasy stories are with children and teenagers these days. I was touched when I learned that ~BlueShadowM had gone to the trouble of translating a chapter of her novel from its original Swedish just for us, and when I read it, the piece latched right onto my imagination. The characters, the settings and the intriguing mysteries come together to make this a rip-roaring good read!

Claire's Journey - Chapter 6 by ~TheEyeShield



The author of this piece shows us a glimpse of the life of a teenage girl going through some hard times, and he manages to do so without being sensationalist. I find this character, her problems and her relationships very believable.

'Because...' by ~RockerLane1110



What impresses me most about this, next to the quality of writing, is the amount the author is able to achieve in such a very short piece. There must be so many stories inside every school. Did you ever think about who else might have sat at your desk on any given day? We have here five pieces of flash fiction in which five characters are quickly and skilfully carfted to their full, and which all come together to form one complete story.

*Writers-Workshop's children's prose workshop:

This workshop was hosted by me from June 15th-18th, 2008. You can read my ramblings on the subject of children's literature for this workshop right here if you want to (and I can't imagine why you wouldn't!). Unfortunately these were the only two entries, but at least that means I didn't have to discriminate with my choices for this feature. Both are definitely well worth a read.

'This is Teddy Bear' by ~oblivion00



For this piece, the author took up my challenge of writing a story for under-fives. She had an excellent first draft with just the right use of language, and clear consideration of the part that the absent illustrations play in completing the story. She then took on board my comments, and improved the piece even further. I love this one!

'The Liar' by *batousaijin



This story for older children deals directly with a delicate issue, and touches on others, from which less courageous writers would shrink. The relationship between the child protagonist and the adults around him is particularly well portrayed here.

Daily Deviations in children's literature to date in 2008:

'Bones' by *ormsqueak



This ballad is immaculately crafted and delightfully gruesome. The regular rhythm and rhyme, and the sheer sadism of the piece, make it perfect for children.
Feautured by ^GeneratingHype on March 29th.

'My Lion' by ~tricksyriver



This is an intelligent story that beautifully combines contemporary literature with the vintage fable.
Suggested by *ThornyEnglishRose and featured by ^StJoan on May 17th.

'I Love You Mother' by ~IrrevocableFate



This story received an honourable mention with the Tots and Teens contest results, even though it didn't quite win. It is a sadly sweet little story that I know would appeal to the imaginations of children.
Featured by ^LadyLincoln on June 12th.

'The Canary' by ~Zocko


An emotional moral tale from the east with a vintage feel to it, and a rare visual aspect that really brings the story and characters to life.
Featured by ^lovetodeviate on June 13th.

The End

Yes, that is all - as though it wasn't enough - at least for now. But please keep noting me with links to any great children's literature you may find.

Thank you for reading.