'TRUST THEM TO FIGURE IT OUT': TONI MORRISON'S BOOKS FOR CHILDREN.

Morrison, Toni, 1931-2019; Children's literature; Critical thinking in children; Autonomy in children; Humanistic education; Dewey, John, 1859-1952; Nussbaum, Martha Craven, 1947-

Toni Morrison has joined the ranks of those writers whose work includes texts for both adults and children. This paper examines this less known side to Morrison's work in an attempt to define its characteristic features and its place within ethnic and African-American children's literature. The texts will be read in the light of the ideas of such thinkers as John Dewey and Martha Nussbaum, among others, who advocate a liberal model of education that fosters autonomy and critical thinking. Depictions of children in Morrison's adult fiction, for the author has shown a life-long interest in childhood, will also be engaged. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Toni Morrison figura ahora entre el grupo de escritores cuyo trabajo incluye textos para adultos y para niños. Este artículo examina una faceta poco conocida del trabajo de la autora con el fin de definir sus rasgos distintivos y el papel de Morrison como escritora para niños. Sus textos serán leídos a la luz de pensadores como Martha Nussbaum y otros, que abogan por un modelo educativo que fomente la autonomía y el pensamiento crítico. Además, se hará referencia a la representación de personajes infantiles en las novelas de Morrison, que ha demostrado su interés por la infancia a lo largo de toda su carrera. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]