Chaucer as children's literature

"Although Geoffrey Chaucer is the major author for Middle English studies, he often receives little notice in studies of children's literature. There is, however, a fascinating relationship between Chaucer and children's interests." "This book examines Chaucer stories that have been retold for children - both the texts and the illustrations, which are excellent examples of the verbal and visual storytelling that are important in children's literature. The popularity of certain Chaucer stories, their adjustment for children, and the historical, political, educational, and social contexts of the retellings reveal Victorian and Edwardian attitudes. The author also considers how retellings of Chaucer stories contributed to the traditional view of Chaucer as the Father of English and how this view of him was developed at the turn of the twentieth century as part of an expansion of general education and English studies."--Jacket.