South Africa in English‐Language Children’s Literature, 1814‐1912

Over the years there have been several influential studies of imperialism in the literature published for children between 1800 and 1930, and examples like Green and Richards, Bratton and Dunae, Howarth and Mangan, Mackenzie and Egoff. These have formed part of the larger critical discussion of imperialism and literature, which has taken on strong post‐colonialist overtones. Studies of important children’s writers from that period, too, like Kingsford’s of Kingston, Quayle’s of Ballantyne, and Warner’s Marryat, continue to reveal how writers reflect contemporary cross‐currents and mindsets.

It is as if, then, it has all been said. Elwyn Jenkins picks out the...