Who doesn’t know Robinson?: Series of books “Robinsonade” in the circle of children’s reading (according to the materials of the fundamental library, Herzen State Pedagogical University)

Abstract

The article covers the books about Robinson Crusoe which are one of the especially composed thematic collections at the Fundamental Library of Herzen University. The “robinsonade” includes 234 books published in the XVIII — early XX century. in european languages, designed for children’s readership and containing not only various translations and abbreviations of the original novel by D. Defoe, but also a variety of alterations of the original storyline, as well as epigon works, the heroes of which are in a state of isolation. The collection of books of the series “robinsonade” is a vivid example of the transition of a popular story in the circle of children’s reading and its adaptation to children’s reader’s needs. English, French, German and Russian “robinsonades” are considered in detail, the specificity of the perception of the novel by D. Defoe in the european and russian literary tradition is noted. The history of existence of individual copies of the collection is of particular interest for research: gift inscriptions serve as bright markers of interpersonal relations in the family, friendly or professional spheres, and book signs (ex-libris and stamps) allow to trace the ways of formation of funds of the Fundamental Library.

Keywords: Pedagogical institute of preschool education, Indicative library for children’s reading, O. I. Kapitsa, E. P. Privalova, history of pedagogy, children’s reading, children’s literature, Robinson Crusoe, robinsonade, book monuments