November 2012 saw the joint annual conference of the British branch of
the International Board on Books for Young People (IBBY UK) and the MA
course at the National Centre for Research in Children's Literature
(NCRCL) at Roehampton University. The theme of the conference was the
investigation of aspects of literature for children that were 'Beyond
the Book'.From woodcuts to e-books, children's literature has always
lent itself to reinterpretation and expansion. In its early days, this
was achieved through different forms of retelling, through illustration
and interactive illustration (pop-ups and flaps), and then through
music, film, television and stage adaptation. The contributors to the
2012 conference explored the variety of means by which we transform
literature intended for children, and celebrated the vibrant world of
creativity that has sought, and continues to seek, different ways in
which to engage young readers.Bridget Carrington and Jennifer Harding
have previously collaborated as the editors of earlier IBBY UK/NCRCL MA
conference proceedings: Going Graphic: Comics and Graphic Novels for
Young People; Conflicts and Controversies: Challenging Children's
Literature; and It Doesn't Have to Rhyme: Children and Poetry (Pied
Piper Publishing, 2010, 2011, 2012).
