Return to Arcadia: Mediators, Marketing, and Restrictions on Ecuadorian Children’s Literature

Abstract

In 2009 author Santiago Páez wrote “Literatura infantil y Gran Literatura” (Children’s Literature and Great Literature), an essay that criticizes contemporary Ecuadorian children’s literature. Páez accused certain “mediators” (teachers and parents) of having a prejudiced stance towards morality, and “good manners” in the arts. He also complained that some publishers prioritized economic profits over literary quality. After a brief description of the current situation in Ecuadorian children’s literature and its close relationship to the school curriculum list, Páez’s criticism is evaluated, with reference to other critics, editorial staff, and children’s writers. In addition, the characteristics of some well-known Ecuadorian books for children are considered. This article is based mainly on the theoretical framework about Arcadia presented by Maria Nikolajeva, but her thoughts are also complemented with reflections from such scholars as Teresa Colomer, Bjerck Erik Hagen, and Nicholas Tucker.