Tales for Little Rebels: A Collection of Radical Children’s Literature

Edited by Julia L. Mickenberg and Philip Nel

In 1912, a revolutionary chick cries “Strike down the wall!” and liberates itself from the “egg state.” In 1940, ostriches pull their heads out of the sand and unite to fight fascism. In 1972, Baby X grows up without a gender and is happy about it.
    Rather than teaching children to obey authority, to conform, or to seek redemption through prayer, 20th century leftists encouraged children to question the authority of those in power.  Tales for Little Rebels collects 43 mostly out-of-print stories, poems, comic strips, primers, and other texts for children that embody this radical tradition. The concerns of the 20th century leftist movements reflected include civil rights, gender equality, peace, labor, and environmental responsibility. The pieces also address the means of achieving these ideals, including taking collective action, developing critical thinking skills, and harnessing the liberating power of the imagination.
    Some of the authors and illustrators are familiar, including Lucille Clifton, Langston Hughes, Norma Klein, Eve Merriam, Carl Sandburg, and Dr. Seuss.  
    A book party to celebrate the book’s publication will take place Dec. 18, at 6 p.m. at NYU’s Tamiment Library. The editors are Julia L. Mickenberg, associate professor of American studies at the University of Texas, Austin; and Philip Nel, professor of English and director of the Program in Children’s Literature, Kansas State University.


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