Children’s Literature in Romania

Abstract

The present paper traces the evolution of children’s literature in Romania from the nineteenth century to the present day. It suggests the existence of four phases that are associated with the political and ideological evolution of the Romanian state. The first stage begins in the second half of the nineteenth century, in correlation with the emergence of the independent Romanian state. A period of consolidation follows in the interwar period, mirroring the effective modernization of the state. The communist period sees the boom of children’s literature, produced by massive, ideologically controlled state investments in literature. Finally, the fall of communism in 1989 and the connection of Romania to global neoliberalism produce an initial crisis, followed by a reinvention and even a new boom in the children’s book industry.