Layla AbdelRahim is an anthropologist, author, researcher, and public speaker. She is the author of Wild Children – Domesticated Dreams: Civilization and the Birth of Education (2013).
'Layla AbdelRahim demonstrates that children's literature is a pivotal site where societies configure their relationship to the world's anarchic, ever-diversifying web of life. Rigorously argued and beautifully written, her book is a call for renewal keyed to values such as mutual aid, freedom, love, and empathy for all living beings. If we are to halt our ecological slide into the abyss, we need to rethink what we teach our children: AbdelRahim points the way.' - Allan Antliff, Professor and Canada Research Chair in Art History, University of Victoria, Canada and author of Anarchy and Art 'It is hard to imagine a more thorough-going examination of the stories children are commonly introduced to. Ms. AbdelRahim has given us an exploration that is very multifaceted and truly eye-opening. A book to read and re-read!' - John Zerzan, author of Elements of Refusal and Running on Emptiness 'Using a powerful inter-discplinary methodology, Layla AdeblRahim's Children's Literature, Domestication, and Social Foundation provides a nuanaced and mature theory of wildreness and civilisation. The book is written well.' - Petar Jandric, Zagreb University of Applied Sciences, Anarchism's Posthuman Future 'Ms. AbdelRahim's critiques of Lewis Carroll, Frank Baum, Milne, Lewis and Sendak are incisive and carefully thought through, stated clearly but with a true feel for poetics and ambiguity.' - Martin Billheimer, Counterpunch 'Children's Literature, Domestication, and Social Foundation is richly comparative, experientially compelling, informative, thought-provoking, and well-supported. Digging deep into our social foundations, it both critiques and celebrates science and folklore, while providing a new perspective that is both a treat and a challenge to those who love literature. It is a compassionate call to the readers to transform their surroundings in the spirit of wildness, love, and peace.' - Sarat K. Colling, International Journal of Social Ecology and Sustainable Development