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, A Practical 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.
Edited by:
Kimberley Reynolds (Newcastle University UK),
Matthew Grenby (University of St Andrews,
St.Andrews),
Dr Emily Murphy (Lecturer in Children's Literature,
Newcastle University,
UK)
Imprint: Bloomsbury Academic
Country of Publication: United Kingdom
Dimensions:
Height: 236mm,
Width: 158mm,
Spine: 20mm
Weight: 520g
ISBN: 9781350377486
ISBN 10: 1350377481
Pages: 248
Publication Date: 28 May 2026
Audience:
College/higher education
,
Professional and scholarly
,
Primary
,
Undergraduate
Format: Hardback
Publisher's Status: Active
Editor Biographies List of figures Acknowledgements Preface by Kimberley Reynolds Chapter 1: Getting Started by Kimberley Reynolds Chapter 2: Basic Skills by M. O. Grenby Chapter 3: Ethics and Children’s Literature Studies edited by Tyler Bickford and Emily Murphy Chapter 4: Challenges, Barriers and Possibilities edited by Courtney Weikle-Mills and Xu Derong Chapter 5: Using archives, specialist collections and digital humanities resources edited by Shih-Wen Sue Chen and Kimberley Reynolds Chapter 6 Preparing material for presentations and publications, edited by Elina Druker and Kimberley Reynolds Chapter 7: Funding, Engagement and Impact by M.O. Grenby Afterword: Keep on going by Emily Murphy Works Cited Index
Kimberley Reynolds is Professor Emerita of Children's Literature at Newcastle University, UK. Matthew Grenby is Pro Vice Chancellor for Research and Innovation at Newcastle University, UK. Emily Murphy is Senior Lecturer in Children's Literature at Newcastle University, UK.
Reviews for A Practical Companion to Children's Literature Studies: Conducting Research and Building a Career
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 *
