Comparative Children's Literature

This insightful academic work charts the evolution of children's literature studies from the optimistic internationalism of the post-war era to contemporary comparative literary criticism. O'Sullivan expertly traces how scholars initially envisioned a universal "world republic of childhood" where children's books transcended national boundaries, then documents the field's maturation into more nuanced cross-cultural analysis. The book provides crucial historical context for understanding how we study children's texts across different cultures and languages, making complex academic concepts accessible without oversimplification.

What distinguishes this study is its clear-eyed examination of how cultural assumptions have shaped both children's literature and its criticism over decades. Students and scholars of children's literary studies will find particularly valuable the way O'Sullivan connects historical approaches to current methodological debates in comparative literature. The book ultimately demonstrates how examining children's books through multiple cultural lenses enriches our understanding of both childhood and storytelling across global contexts. This thoughtful historical analysis provides essential foundation for anyone serious about international children's literature research.