Summary

Typed transcript of an address titled 'The Literary Diet of American Children in 1954' given by Dr Dorothy Howard to the Parents' Association of Korowa Church of England Girls' Grammar School on 12 November 1954. Dr Howard speaks about the availability and quality of American children's literature, a topic she believes to be relevant to both Australian and American parents. She considers the wealth of quality books and authors and the ways in which children can access and enjoy this material. Dr Howard continues with her primary concern, the need to limit children's access to comic books. She discusses the role parents and teachers can play in ensuring their children read works of literary merit citing examples of successful boycotts. Dr Howard concludes with a reflection on the similarities of pedagogical debates taking place in Australia and America.

One of a collection of interviews of children's folklorist Dr Dorothy Howard in 1954-1955, as well as a lecture she delivered. Dr Howard came to Australia in 1954-55 as an American Fulbright scholar to study Australian children's folklore. She travelled across Australia for 10 months collecting children's playground rhymes, games, play artefacts, etc. The original fieldwork she collected during this period is held in the Australian Children's Folklore Collection (ACFC) at Museum Victoria and includes index cards, letters and photographs.

Physical Description

Typed transcript in black ink on paper. Includes 12 pages with typed print on one side only. Handwritten annotations in blue ink overall.

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