Magic in Children's Literature

[Christina_S]

Lewis and Tolkien have both written about the value of supernatural or "magical" happenings in children's literature. From what I'm picking up in Surprised by Joy, Lewis believes that children begin to use their imaginations and understand the reality of the immaterial when presented with fairy tales that contain magic. He and Tolkien both present systems in which magic is used for objective good or evil, and for me, that is a key element.
If a story is using magic willy-nilly or the same character uses it for contradictory purposes, I may have an issue with it. But if characters are using it for clear-cut, virtuous purposes, I don't see much of a problem there.

[Heinrich]

I have not read the books nor have I seen the movies of LotR.

That is a shocking admission.

I can give a better deal perhaps, if you have interest. Having some background would make it easier to discuss online and know exactly who Melkor is. There is a lot of Germanic mythology influence in it among other things of value.

Du, Nibelung.

[TerrorDæmonum]

There is actually quite a bit of history and myth involved and the background of the stories is very fascinating (and, a lot more book).

Anyway, mine are no longer available, but they are easily found in most places that would sell such things.

[Heinrich]

There is actually quite a bit of history and myth involved and the background of the stories is very fascinating (and, a lot more book).

Anyway, mine are no longer available, but they are easily found in most places that would sell such things.

Thanks, but I'll pass. Too juvenile for me. I am currently reading an anthology of Franz Schönwerth's Myths and Legends. He was a late contemporary of the Brothers, who found definitive value in his work.

[TerrorDæmonum]

Thanks, but I'll pass. Too juvenile for me.

To each their own.

By the way, how did the game go? I did not hear who won. Or who was playing. I was too busy doing adult things.

(This is a joke about selectively dismissing things as juvenile...very few people don't have some affection for something that one might consider to be beneath the highest levels of intellectual stimulation. Of course, there are levels. The Lord of the Rings, books and films, don't have dancing harlots cheering them on and an ambulance waiting nearby for the inevitable injuries. But I actually don't know who won and I only know of the "Bengals" playing, because I made a "Bengals and cream cheese" joke when I saw a headline which mentioned the teams. I forgot the other team.))