How does information travel? How does travel affect information? Scholars, librarians, and antiquarian archivists, and educators from around the world shared their recent research and on-going projects at the Transnational Children’s Literature 1750-1850 symposium sponsored by The Cotsen Children’s Library, part of the Department of Special Collections at the Princeton University Library. I had the pleasure of hearing 20 papers presented, and gaining a view into the evolution of the literature our children read today. Context is crucial, and analyzing why a text is printed and disseminated is key to understanding the text. Issues of cultural appropriation and misleading translations (as stories were translated for new audiences they were changed to suit the local population with little regard for their origin), 18th Century marketing schemes, advertising, colonialism, personal and cultural identity, the development of picture books, and the role of John Comenius’ 1658 Orbis Pictus in bringing science education to children were among the myriad topics addressed. 

As an elementary science teacher, I am continually looking for connections between science and…everything else. Children’s interests span the universe, and the more interconnections I can help them build, the deeper their understanding of the world is. Hearing detailed research on specific topics, followed by discussions that drew together broad themes on the effects of translation, experiences of childhood, reading, writing, publishing and education was exhilarating. It was a rare opportunity for the 20,000 meter view and will send me back to learn more about how we have arrived at this moment in teaching and learning, while continually considering where we go next. Fortunately, we have our children to lead us.

No classes were missed in the making of a deliriously happy teacher. The weekend conference was only $20. Thanks to the professional development fund for covering my housing (room in a house full of art of a Scottish-born retired French teacher).