A Practical Companion to Children's Literature Studies

Conducting Research and Building a Career

Kimberley Reynolds editor Matthew Grenby editor Dr Emily Murphy editor

Format:Paperback

Publisher:Bloomsbury Publishing PLC

Publishing:5th Feb '26

£21.99

This title is due to be published on 5th February, and will be despatched as soon as possible.

A Practical Companion to Children's Literature Studies cover

Building on the foundation of Reynolds and Grenby's Children's Literature Studies, this practical companion to studying children's literature guides undergraduates to mid-level scholars through their research and career development.

Children’s literature is a rapidly expanding and ever-evolving field, so this research guide is devoted to the specialist skills and complexities of studying and working with children’s literature, alongside childhood studies, at university level and beyond. A successor to Kimberley Reynolds's and Matthew Grenby's 2011 Children's Literature Studies: A Research Handbook, this work reflects on new directions and emphases in children’s literature studies as seen by all levels – from undergraduates to postgraduates to early and mid-career specialists. It offers practical guidance in locating and responding to research and funding opportunities, career development and impact. With a broad, international focus, APractical Guide to Children’s Literature Studies includes:

- Contributions from scholars around the world, including the US, Chile, China, and the Philippines
- Outlines of the field and the careers possible with specialisms in children’s literature
- Sample research proposals from an MA dissertation to senior-level projects
- Guidance on locating grants, fellowships, collaborations and other opportunities
- A look at the ethical complexities of a field so close to children and young people
- Solutions to the problems researchers face entering the field
- Discussion of key archives, special collections and digital resources of international significance
- Advice on preparing for responsibilities within academia such as presentations and publication
- An exploration of how new, emerging and established scholars can maximise the impact of their work
- Worked examples, international case studies and guides to further reading
- Guidance on the use of AI

Filling a gap in provisions for all those looking to study or specialise in children literature, this is the ultimate guide for anyone seeking to position themselves in ways which will maximise their employability inside and out of academia.

An extremely useful and comprehensive guide that addresses the critical considerations and practicalities of being a children’s literature scholar in the 21st century. * Amy Webster, Lincoln Bishop University, UK *
This book is a truly unique treasure trove for emerging scholars who want to establish a career in children’s literature research. It is clear about the stakes, honest about the challenges, inspiring in the possibilities it highlights, practical in its advice and moving in the personal testimonies that various scholars have shared. I wish this book had been around when I was starting. For more senior scholars, it reminds us of why we are in this field and how we can support our more junior colleagues. * - Vanessa Joosen, Professor of English literature and children’s literature, University of Antwerp, Belgium *

ISBN: 9781350377493

Dimensions: 232mm x 156mm x 18mm

Weight: 292g

248 pages