Children’s Literature and Social Change: A Comparative Study of Chinua Achebe’s Chike and the River; Onuekwusi’s Hassan and the Car thieves, A Son among Daughters and Camilus Uka’s Dying Wishes of a Granny

Abstract

This research underscores the relevance of children’s literature in social transformation. The aim is to access the effect of literature on children, how they perceive and react to its messages through the relevance of its themes and the possibility of correcting the ills in our present society through the medium of children’s literature. It was discovered that many writers of children’s literature jump into the field for money making without taking into consideration the possible impact of their works on children. It was also discovered that most writers of children’s literature still dwell on over flogged tables that are not in tandem with issues of present times. Such issues as national unity, political instability, religious hypocrisy to mention but a few. This paper employed the sociological approach. A theory that deals with the theory inter connection between literature and society. The significance of this research is to create an awareness to the general public to see possible means through which positive social transformation can be affected. This paper therefore, recommends that writers of children’s literature should begin to take cognizance of the realities of the changing time and flow with the current tide. By focusing on relevant themes that bother the society and bring them down to the level and understanding of children.