In this study, Cosslett investigates how 19th-century debates about humans, animals, and evolutionary theory were reflected in British children's literature of the time. Particular attention is
paid to anti-cruelty messages embedded in books about talking animals that encouraged children to be kind to the animals they encountered in the world outside the book. Cosslett (children's
literature, Lancaster U., UK) also traces the contributions of these stories to the rise of the animal protection movements. Annotation 穢2006 Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)
