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A Brief History of the Child and the Book Conference
Since its inauguration in 2004 at Roehampton University as a postgraduate-run conference, The Child and the Book (CBC) took off and along the years has been established as an international, interdisciplinary conference, mainly held in Europe. The CBC attracts both early career and established scholars as well as graduate students from across the world who work on children’s and young adult literature and culture. Members of this vibrant community of children’s literature scholars come together annually to exchange experiences, insights, and knowledge in the field. The CBC offers a unique opportunity for graduate students to present and discuss their work along with established scholars in an ambience of collegiality, cooperation and true academic respect.
THE CHILD AND THE BOOK CONFERENCE — FORMER VENUES
20. May 29–June 1, 2026 — Rethymnon, Crete, GR
Department of Primary Education, University of Crete (host) & Department of Primary Education, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens
Theme: Diaspora(s), Exile, Nomads, and Children’s Literature
Conveners: Vassiliki Vassiloudi; Tzina Kalogirou
19. Apr 23-35, 2025 — Tilburg, NL
Tilburg University
Theme: Children Shaping the(ir) World: Between the Exceptional and the Everyday
Conveners: Sonali Kulkarni; Élodie Malanda; Jessaline Tanjung; Rosalyn Borst; Lois Burke; Suzanne van der Beek; Sara Van den Bossche
18. May 2-4, 2024 — Rouen, FR
University of Rouen
Theme: Making, Building, Mending: Creativity and Craftsmanship in Children’s Literature and Culture
Convener: Virginie Douglas
17. May 2–4, 2023 — Podgorica, ME
Faculty of Philology, Music Academy and Faculty of Fine Arts, University of Montenegro
Theme: The Magic of Sound: Children’s Literature and Music
Convener: Svetlana Kalezić Radonjić
16. May 26–28, 2022 — Valletta, MT
University of Malta
Theme: The Role of the Child as Citizen: Constructing Childhood Through Agency and Activism
Conveners: Giuliana Fenech; Vanessa Joosen
15. March 24–26, 2021 — Berlin, DE
Freie Universität Berlin (host), Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin and Eberhard Karls Universität Tübingen
Theme: Transformation and Continuity: Political and Cultural Changes in Children’s Literature from the Past Century to the Present Day
Conveners: Farriba Schulz; Bettina Kümmerling-Meibauer; Petra Anders
14. May 8–10, 2019 — Zadar, HR
Croatian Association of Researchers in Children’s Literature & University of Zadar
Theme: Beyond the Canon (of Children’s Literature)
Conveners: Smiljana Narančić Kovač; Robert Bacalja
13. March 30–April 1, 2017 — Valencia, ES
Teachers’ Training Faculty, University of Valencia
Theme: Interdisciplinary Links Between Children’s Literature and the Other Arts
Conveners: Xavier Minguez Lopez; Maria Alcantud
12. May 19–21, 2016 — Wrocław, PL
Faculty of Philology, University of Wrocław
Theme: Children’s Literature and Play
Convener: Dorota Michułka
11. March 26–28, 2015 — Aveiro, PT
Centre for Didactics and Technology in Teacher Education, Department of Education, University of Aveiro
Theme: Children’s Literature: Fractures and Disruptions
Convener: Ana Margarida Ramos
10. April 10–12, 2014 — Athens, GR
National and Kapodistrian University of Athens
Theme: Time, Space and Memory in Literature for Children and Young Adults
Convener: Tzina Kalogirou
9. March 21–23, 2013 — Padua, IT
Department of Philosophy, Sociology, Pedagogy and Applied Psychology, University of Padua
Theme: Children’s Literature, Technology and Imagination: Research, Problems and Perspectives
Convener: Marnie Campagnaro
8. March 30–April 1, 2012 — Cambridge, UK
Faculty of Education; Cambridge–Homerton Research and Teaching Centre for Children’s Literature, University of Cambridge
Theme: Towards Common Ground: Philosophical Approaches to Children’s Literature
Convener: Erin Spring
7. April 8–10, 2011 — Oslo, NO
Nordic Network for Children’s Literature Research, University of Oslo
Theme: Picturebooks of the New Millennium
Convener: Åse Marie Ommundsen
6. May 1–3, 2009 — Nanaimo, CA
Faculty of Education, Vancouver Island University
Theme: This Land Is Our Land
Convener: Virginia MacCarthy
5. May 16–18, 2008 — New York, USA
Buffalo State College, Buffalo State University
Theme: Making the World Perfect
Convener: Karen Sands-O’Connor
4. March 30–April 1, 2007 — Istanbul, TR
Department of Western Languages and Literatures, Boğaziçi University
Theme: Lost in Translation
Convener: Anthony Pavlik
3. April 7–9, 2006 — Newcastle upon Tyne, UK
NIASSH, University of Newcastle
Theme: Children’s Literature: From the Past to Present
Convener: Sarah Barber
2. April 16, 2005 — Antwerp, BE
University of Antwerp
Theme: Changing Concepts of Children and Children’s Literature
Conveners: Vanessa Joosen; Katrien Vloeberghs
1. April 3, 2004 — London, UK
Roehampton University
Theme:Current Scholarly Approaches to Children and Literature