Have children’s book stopped being entertaining adventures and become more about issues than they used to be? Julia Eccleshare responds.
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Currently, imaginary dystopias are replacing familiar fictional backgrounds of historical upheaval such as the French Revolution or the second world war as places where children are forced into managing their own lives. These are not darker places than their historical precursors and, like them, they provide a space where children, especially todays much-watched children, can tackle demons, take risks and grow up.

via Book doctor: Are childrens books darker than they used to be? | Childrens books | guardian.co.uk.