Contemporary Kenyan Contexts and Adult Character types in Select Children’s Literature.

Abstract

This present article focuses on the relationship between contemporary Kenyan Context and Adult Character types present in select Kenyan children’s literary texts. The texts include; “Uncle Sese and The Sunday School Project” by Kabaji, and “Naomi and Cindy” and “Naomi in her New School” by Muleka. The study aims at identifying different contexts that give rise to the various adult character types present in the texts. The study shows that there is a close link between the contexts the writers have painted in their works and the characters in those works. This indicates that perhaps there is as much realism in children’s literature as there is in most adult fiction. Character and characterization being an aspect of technique, the theory of formalism serves as the main analytical tool. The study is descriptive in the manner it delineates contexts and character types. The paper helps to bring out not only the serious nature of children’s literature but also adds to the appreciation of the aesthetic value of children’s literature.