The Nation in Children's Literature

This interdisciplinary collection examines how children's literature constructs national identity across diverse cultural contexts, from Canada to South Korea. Through analysis of novels, short stories, and films spanning science fiction to fantasy, the contributors reveal how young readers encounter complex ideas of nationhood and belonging. The book demonstrates that children's texts are never politically neutral, but actively shape understanding of citizenship and cultural heritage through narrative and character.

What distinguishes this work is its truly global perspective, moving beyond Western frameworks to include underrepresented voices from Taiwan, Africa, and India. The multicultural approach makes it particularly valuable for educators and scholars seeking to understand how nationalism operates in children's media worldwide. Readers will emerge with a transformed understanding of how seemingly simple stories carry profound political weight in forming young citizens' sense of place in the world.