The Field of Children’s Literature and Culture in Times of the Anthropocene

This conversation among fellow scholars explores the impact of the Anthropocene on children’s literature and culture scholarship. It focuses on, among other things, a gap between critical discourse on the Anthropocene and the creative output of children’s books, which often rely on simplified eco-hero narratives. Such books burden the younger generation with responsibility for the future instead of encouraging cross-generational engagement. The discussion also highlights the importance of interdisciplinary approaches and collaborations in researching and teaching children’s literature and culture—approaches that may, perhaps paradoxically, emerge from a sense of being overwhelmed by the scope and intensity of the Anthropocene. Ultimately, this conversation encourages further reflection on the role of research into children’s literature and culture in the context of the current ecological crisis.