Per FTC guidelines, I am disclosing partnership with The Children’s Book Review and Tom Durwood.

Kid Lit: An Introduction to Literary Criticism
Written by Tom Durwood
All Ages | 220 Pages
Publisher: Empire Studies Press | ISBN-13: 9781952520044
Publisher’s Synopsis: We are surrounded by narratives, in fiction and in our everyday lives. In this colorful collection of ideas, the author argues that understanding the components of our favorite children’s stories can lead to a lifetime of critical thinking.
Beginning with the elements of the universal coming-of-age narrative, “Kid Lit” shows young readers and general readers alike how to recognize story structure, class, gender, symbolism, trauma and Orientalism in children’s narratives.
Of value to all teachers, students, librarians, readers, literature lovers, and moviegoers.
“Tom Durwood is the best English instructor I have seen in my thirty-two years of teaching.” —Professor Patrick Murray, Valley Forge Military College

PURCHASE LINKS
https://bookshop.org/a/2078/9781952520044

ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Tom Durwood is a teacher, writer and editor with an interest in history. Tom most recently taught English Composition and Empire and Literature at Valley Forge Military College, where he won the Teacher of the Year Award five times. Tom has taught Public Speaking and Basic Communications as a guest lecturer for the Naval Special Warfare Development Group at the Dam’s Neck Annex of the Naval War College.
Tom is editor of an online scholarly journal, The Journal of Empire Studies (www.empirestudies.org). Peter Suber, Berkman Fellow at Harvard University, an advocate of the open access movement, praises the journal as “a new opportunity for overcoming access barriers to knowledge and research.” Dr. Julian Fisher of Scholarly Exchange has also applauded Tom’s efforts. “Creating valuable academic content and then hiding it behind financial firewalls – the traditional scholarly publishing model – runs counter to the essence of scholarship, learning and sharing,” according to Fisher. “To see a journal such as the Journal of Empire Studies breaking that mold is exciting.”
Tom’s newspaper column “Shelter” appeared in the North County Times for seven years. Tom earned a Masters in English Literature in San Diego, where he also served as Executive Director of San Diego Habitat for Humanity. Tom earned his undergraduate degree from Harvard, where he edited an undergraduate arts journal and studied with David McClelland (Roots of Consciousness).
For more information, teacher resources, and lesson plans, visit www.kidlitcrit.com.
TOUR SCHEDULE
Tuesday, June 29, 2021The Children’s Book ReviewTour Kick-OffKid Lit: An Introduction to Literary Criticism |
Wednesday, June 30, 2021The Fairview ReviewA book review ofKid Lit: An Introduction to Literary Criticism |
Thursday, July 1, 2021Comfy Chair BooksA book review ofKid Lit: An Introduction to Literary Criticism |
Friday, July 2, 2021Life Is What It’s CalledAn interview withTom Durwood |
Monday, July 5, 2021The Momma SpotA book review ofKid Lit: An Introduction to Literary Criticism |
Tuesday, July 6, 2021Shooting Stars MagA book review ofKid Lit: An Introduction to Literary Criticism |
Wednesday, July 7, 2021A Dream Within a DreamA book review ofKid Lit: An Introduction to Literary Criticism |
Thursday, July 8, 2021icefairy’s Treasure ChestA book review ofKid Lit: An Introduction to Literary Criticism |
Friday, July 9, 2021Confessions of a Book AddictA book giveaway ofKid Lit: An Introduction to Literary Criticism |
Saturday, July 10, 2021Book Bug CaA book review ofKid Lit: An Introduction to Literary Criticism |
Sunday, July 11, 2021Lisa’s ReadingA book review ofKid Lit: An Introduction to Literary Criticism |
Monday, July 12, 2021Over Coffee ConversationA guest article fromTom Durwood |
Tuesday, July 13, 2021Library Lady’s Kid LitA book review ofKid Lit: An Introduction to Literary Criticism |
My Review
Tom Durwood is a masterful teacher, keeping us interested and entertained in his new ebook, Kid Lit: An Introduction to Literary Criticism. As an educator, books that teach theory are some of my favorites. Not being a specialist in literary criticism or literature in general, I love how he went back to the basics. Every term imaginable is explained in a way beginners can understand.
I’m sure his students have loved his classes, because he takes things that are complex and makes them simple and understandable. This Introduction to Literary Criticism is not a dry textbook at all. Each chapter is filled with explanations and tons of real-book examples that we can all relate to.
I learned so much in this book! The inclusion of movies as literature was totally new to me and I was facinated with all the Star Wars information. The author researched to bring the reader vast amounts of knowledge, but also made it fun!

Enter for a chance to win a copy of Kid Lit: An Introduction to Literary Criticism!
Ten (10) winners receive:
- A digital copy of Kid Lit: An Introduction to Literary Criticism
The giveaway begins June 29, 2021, at 12:01 A.M. MT and ends July 29, 2021, at 11:59 P.M. MT.
Kid Lit: An Introduction to Literary Criticism Giveaway
I want to win this to teach my daughter how to review books with a critical eye.