Marxism and Children's Literature conference

I have been sent an email informing me that China Mieville, interviewed about his new book for kids Un Lun Dun here and here, will be speaking at a conference on children's literature on Saturday June 9 at Senate House, University of London alongside other speakers including Michael Rosen. Registration details etc are still to be confirmed, but I will also advertise a new book on my site which may be of interest to Histomat readers who, like me, will sadly be unable to make the conference.

Children's Literature Some Marxist Perspectives
University of Hertfordshire Press;
ed. Plastow, Jenny

Paperback; 108 pages | ISBN: 1902806654 |

Synopsis
Children's literature is often viewed as a comfortable field, but there are many grittier perspectives to be explored and interest in these is growing. "Children's Literature - some Marxist Perspectives" is the first of a planned series of volumes which will explore different approaches to children's books and periodicals. This first volume is introduced by Michael Rosen, author, poet, broadcaster and researcher. Marx and Marxism, supposedly dead and buried, seem to find ways of staying alive. Recently Marx was voted as number one philosopher by listeners to Radio 4's "In Our Times" programme, and there is a constant stream of books, articles, conferences and productions influenced by Marxist ideas. This collections of articles explores how some of these ideas might offer useful ways at looking at children's literature. Contributions include views of children's books and periodicals written in Britain during the Great War and a thought-provoking paper on Walter Benjamin, as well as a view of children's periodicals in 1930s and 40s Turkey.

University of Hertfordshire Press | 1 February 2007
Available from Bookmarks.