Beyond the Book: Transforming Children's Literature

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).