The development of children’s literature in Slovenia is similar to that elsewhere in Europe. It can
be divided into five periods. The first is the pre-literary stage from 1550–1850, when children were
only indirectly addressed (Trubar, Krelj), especially in texts with religious or educational (Vodnik)
content. Through the process of literary reception, various texts from the times of Romanticism or
Realism become children’s reading (Prešeren’s The Water Man, Levstik’s Martin Krpan). The second
period (1848/50–1900) includes the beginnings of non-religious children’s literature and the first
magazine for children (Vedež, 1848/50; Levstik, Stitar), and adult authors offering children’s texts.
The third, from 1900 to 1950, is the time of Oton @upan~i~ and his poetic appreciation of the children’s
audience. In this period there began to appear illustrated books and picture books for children.
The fourth period, from 1950 to 1990 is characterised by different authors’ poetics and modern classics
(Pavček, Kovič, Vegri, Grafenauer, Makarovič etc.) and institutionalisation of children’s libraries.
The fifth period is contemporary children’s literature from 1990 onwards, characterised by
problem-oriented themes, a shift from reading to play activities with books, consumerism, pluralism,
dual audiences and subversive children’s literature.
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