In this course, we will give ourselves permission to go back and explore the power and magic of children’s literature. Why is it we remember books we read in our childhood with a sense of nostalgia? Why do these stories impact us now in ways that we did not understand as children?

In her book, Why You Should Read Children’s Books Even Though You Are So Old and Wise, Katharine Rundell states, “Children’s fiction necessitates distillation: at its best, it renders in their purest, most archetypal forms hope, hunger, joy, fear.” Those emotions may have helped us grow and may have contributed to our identity as adults. The great children’s authors wrote with an eye for truth, and they used magic at times to tell a story. There are times in our lives when those great stories are the only stories that will do.

During this six-week course, we will learn about the life and times of renowned authors who have set a high bar for children’s fantasy stories through picture books and novels alike. We will also reflect on our own experiences reading fantasy and consider how these experiences may have contributed to changes in our attitudes or world views.

We will explore the most recent research on children's literature in the digital age, as well as how and why these great stories can contribute to a sense of well-being and an understanding of humanity not only for children, but also for ourselves.

Join us to share insights and new revelations as we delve into the world of children’s literature then and now.