CFP: Perceptions of Childhood for The Unjournal of Children's Literature

Volume 1, Issue 2 (Spring 2014):  Perceptions and Portrayals of Childhood
Submissions Deadline: November 4, 2013
Submit to: UnjournalSubmissions@gmail.com
Send Questions to: ChildlitUnjournal@gmail.com

The Unjournal of Children’s Literature is now accepting submissions on the topic of perceptions and portrayals of childhood in children’s literature. Traditional scholarly articles are welcome, as well as more creative approaches to addressing the subject.
The academic field of children’s literature often struggles with the definition, or indeed the existence, of childhood. While scholars like Jacqueline Rose and Perry Nodelman have long maintained that the adult-constructed perception of childhood dominates the field of children’s literature, others such as Jerry Griswold and Marah Gubar are exploring the role of the real child in children’s literature. We hope to enliven this discussion with thoughtful approaches that expand on one or more of these perceptions, examine various portrayals, or challenge the conceived notions of childhood with a point-of-view altogether unique.

Possible topics could include, but are not limited to:

• Blurred boundaries between children’s books and adult books
• The authenticity of the portrayal of the childhood experience
• Children in adult roles in children’s lit
• Interdisciplinary analyses of childhood in children’s lit (e.g., psychological, anthropological, historical, socio-cultural, geographical, etc)
• Portrayals of adults in children’s lit
• Children’s books that aren’t: Go the Fuck to Sleep, Animal Epitaphs and more
• Child authors
• The real versus the constructed child
• The rhetoric of the constructed child in children’s lit
• Essentials of childhood debunked
• Child agency, either in child characters or in the field itself
• Evolution of the concept of childhood
• Effects of globalization on the understanding of childhood

Once again, both traditional and unconventional submissions are welcome. Some potential examples of creative approaches include: an interactive map/chart of your argument, an illustrative approach, or an editorial/opinion article (less academic, more charged).

Review Process:
The review process for submissions will include a double blind peer review. The selections for publication will be based on recommendations from the peer reviewers and final editorial review.

Submission Specifications:
Send your submissions to UnjournalSubmissions@gmail.com

1. Indicate in the subject that this is an article submission
2. In the body of the email, include your name, contact information, title of your work, and abstract (250 words max)
3. All papers should be attached as a Word document (.doc or .docx)
   • Include ONLY the title
   • Do NOT include your name or contact information in the Word document

Any supplemental artwork should be attached as a JPEG. If the file size is too large to be sent via email, please contact us directly to arrange an alternative method of submission.

Copyright Information: Please note that due to copyright laws, there may be images that we will not be able to reproduce; it is up to you to confirm, obtain, and provide us with proof of copyright permission. Otherwise, we can include legitimate links to artwork/images if provided.

Any Questions? Contact the Unjournal editors at ChildLitUnjournal@gmail.com