Argument: Anthropomorphic Animals in Children's Literature Debate

This discussion post presents a debate on the use of anthropomorphic animals in children's literature. The author argues against discouraging anthropomorphic animals, citing their historical popularity and effectiveness in engaging young readers. The post references the use of anthrop...Read More

Running head: DEBATE
Debate
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1DEBATE
Debate: Anthropomorphic animals should be discouraged in children’s literature
Everyone believe that the animal of anthropomorphic nature should never be
discouraged in children’s literature. Anthropometric is referred to as a literary technique that
is being used all over a range of genre and types of story and remains popular throughout the
history of literature both in children as well as adults.
In the time period of mid eighteenth centuries, more illustrations regarding
anthropomorphic has appeared in children’s literature books as they are quickly developed. In
the year of 1902, a book named ‘The tale of peter rabbit’ was published and it became one of
the most beloved picture book of children in the world (Anthropomorphism in Children's
Picture Books - The Rockwell Center for American Visual Studies, 2019).
Many arguments came against the anthropomorphic animal books that it makes
difficult for the children to learn the basics about the oddness of animal life and that animals
are not like us (Ganea et al., 2014). It states that the above results showing the language
which is being used in the books in order to describe animals has an adverse effect on the
tendency of children to considered human looking characters to animals and those storybooks
of anthropomorphic nature affect the younger children about learning some interesting novel
facts related to animals. As a result, this clearly shows that the anthropomorphized animals
which are being used in the books that are not only leads to fewer learning issues but also
may lead to influence the conceptual knowledge of children about the animal. Moreover,
maximum kids view the animals as others, instead they believe that the animals are having
the same characteristics as humans. For example, a story about a little crocodile who is
worried and does not want to visit the dentist but at last when the crocodile goes, the dentist
itself gets very nervous by seeing his patient (crocodile). Here the crocodile is the key to the
story. He has all the emotions which a child would have when he/she goes to the dentist,
which is very reflective to the young readers. However, in case of any adults, a crocodile is a

2DEBATE
very dangerous animal. Finally, the crocodile goes through the horrible treatment and all the
tension turns into relief and happiness. The anthropomorphic tone ensures children through
the taste of humour, which might not be possible if the author use any child character rather
than using the crocodile as a character to make a permanent mark in the minds of the children
(Anthropomorphism in Children's Picture Books - The Rockwell Center for American Visual
Studies, 2019).
As from the above debate, it can be concluded by saying that anthropomorphic has a
deep root in children’s literature as well as visual storytelling. It continues to have a great
impact in illustrated picture books in today’s generation. Notions of education through
children’s literature has developed throughout the years and anthropomorphism continues to
evolve as an important tool in order to engage young audiences. There is no doubt that most
of the children prefers story books about animals. Nowadays many of those stories teaches
the readers about the kindness, bravery, respect and friendships. These anthropomorphic
animals hold a special place in the hearts of children and will not be easily forgettable as this
will stick to the mind of the children as favourite literary characters.

3DEBATE
References
Anthropomorphism in Children's Picture Books - The Rockwell Center for American Visual
Studies. (2019). Retrieved from
https://www.rockwell-center.org/student-research/anthropomorphism-in-childrens-
picture-books-2/
Ganea P.A., Canfield C.F., Simons-Ghafari K., & Chou T. (2014). Do cavies talk?: The effect
of anthropomorphic books on children's knowledge about animals, Frontiers in
Psychology, https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fpsyg.2014.00283/full