AustLit

Bradford gives a short, concise discussion regarding the theme for this edition of Papers, which focuses on reality, realism and censorship in children's literature. She articulates three assumptions related to realistic fiction for young readers; that 'reality' carries universal meanings available to all observers and participants; that 'reality' can be directly 'depicted' or 'conveyed' through narrative; and realist fiction is seen to provide young readers with insights which they 'need to' or 'should' face squarely so as to understand 'real life or 'life as it is' (4). Bradford points to the conflation of fantasy and reality as polarised opposites with notions about 'reality and the real world' arguing that this results in a 'simplistic identification of realism with reality and fantasy with escapism', a practice that is inherently dangerous, particularly in texts which 'work to control the ways in which they are read' (4).