Hans Christian Andersen: Authors and Illustrators: Honoring the Past, Acknowledging the Present, Looking to the Future

Abstract

Hans Christian AndersenAuthors and Illustrators: Honoring the Past, Acknowledging the Present, Looking to the Future Janelle Mathis (bio) and Petros Panaou (bio) Stories past, present, and future! Not a new theme or focus but one that begs revisiting in light of events, issues, and experiences witnessed within our own communities and that of the global society. Just as the upcoming IBBY Congress in Malaysia is focused on “The Power of Stories,” so this Hans Christian Andersen (HCA) issue highlights outstanding authors and illustrators for whom story through text and art reveals powerful and empowering approaches in understanding the global community. The twelve individuals featured in this issue have first been chosen by their country for significant ongoing contributions to children’s literature. From these, two were identified by the HCA committee as outstanding and have received the HCA Award medal. Across the twelve book creators, you will find evidence of honoring the past through traditional literature and historical stories encompassing social issues, family relationships, and cultural traditions. In acknowledging the present, the stories of social issues continue through contemporary narratives of war, immigration, physical and mental challenges, and the environment. Looking to the future draws on imaginary worlds, possible scenarios, and hopeful outcomes. Our HCA author winner, Marie-Aude Murail, is noted for writing across genre, and with a hint of whimsy and fantasy, she entertains young readers. However, she also provides unique contexts and characters for older readers that invite serious contemplation of today’s social issues, revealing how individuals handle these issues, and supporting the introspection of adolescents. As Morgane Vasta says in her comprehensive article on Murail, her work is “universal, healing, and full of hope.” The HCA illustrator winner is Suzy Lee. Her picturebooks question the boundaries of what is real and what is imaginary, and she is credited with broadening the horizons of text-less books. As stated by Jiwone Lee in her article here on Lee, such books “immerse readers in the story and encourage them to concentrate on the art.” However, at the same time they invite readers to bring their personal stories to the wordless images; [End Page 1] amidst the simplest lines there is room for profound personal narration. As you read these articles, we hope you are compelled to explore further the works of these individuals by reading their books. Each brings their own experiences, imagination, and beliefs about what is and what can be to books, meant to be consumed by readers, and affirming the power of story across time, cultures, and age groups. [End Page 2] Janelle Mathis Janelle Mathis is a professor of literacy and children’s literature at the University of North Texas, where she teaches both graduate and undergraduate courses. She presents regularly at international children’s literature conferences, including IBBY Congresses and IRSCL, and has served on award committees, including the Outstanding International Books Award of USBBY. Janelle publishes on children’s literature studies and recently co-edited with Holly Johnson and Kathy Short Critical Content Analysis of Children's and Young Adult Literature (2016) and Critical Content Analysis of Visual Images in Books for Young People (2019). Petros Panaou Petros Panaou is a clinical associate professor at the University of Georgia, Department of Language and Literacy Education, where he teaches children’s literature and literacy courses. He chairs the annual Georgia Conference on Children’s Literature and has also chaired the academic committee for the 36th IBBY Congress. Petros has also served on the Newbery Awards committee and USBBY’s Outstanding International Books committee. He has authored a book and several articles and book chapters on international children’s literature. He has translated two academic volumes and led multiple international grants. His unpublished novel for children and teens To Kinito (The Cellphone) was awarded a CYBBY honor in 2017. Copyright © 2022 Bookbird, Inc