ACIS Logo CFP – Breac: Children’s Literature – Changing Paradigms and Critical Perspectives in Ireland and Beyond [Deadline: August 31st, 2015]

Before and after the emergence of children’s literature as a distinct branch of print culture in the late 18th century, books for young readers have reflected varying adult concerns and values. Boundaries for what has been considered ‘proper’ for inclusion in children’s books have shifted, and continue to shift considerably, reflecting broader socio-cultural changes and developments. Critical approaches to children’s literature have been similarly influenced by shifting ideological imperatives. The sixth issue of Breac will situate Irish children’s literature within broad historical, cultural and literary frameworks by critically exploring changing attitudes to children and their books. Guest editors Anne Markey and Aedín Clements invite contributions that consider how changing paradigms in children’s literature and/or children’s literature criticism reflect changing constructions of childhood while illuminating other cultural concerns and adult anxieties.
Topics might include:
• The beginnings and expansion of Irish children’s literature
• The development of criticism of Irish children’s literature
• Changing publishing paradigms in Ireland and beyond
• Transnational/comparative approaches to children’s literature
• Children’s literature as a vehicle of education
• Changing emphases and changing priorities in Ireland and beyond
• Irish historical fiction for children
• A changing Ireland in children’s literature.
This issue of Breac will include work by Valerie Coghlan, Karin B. Lesnik-Oberstein, Roni Natov, Maria Nikolajeva, Lissa Paul, and Kimberley Reynolds.
Typical articles for submission vary in length from 3,000-8,000 words, but we are happy to consider pieces that are shorter or longer. We particularly welcome submissions that are suitable to a digital format. The deadline for submissions is August 31st, 2015. All submissions will be peer-reviewed. Full submission instructions are available at http://breac.nd.edu/submissions/. Please send all submissions to submissions@breac.org. Questions are welcome and should be sent to info@breac.org.