Professor of Children’s Literature at the University of Bolton, David Rudd, is the editor of a new collection of essays exploring his subject.
The Routledge Companion to Children’s Literature is a comprehensive, contemporary investigation of children’s literature, exploring its various genres and qualities. Expert contributors worldwide provide in-depth analyses of why children’s literature is the way it is.
The book’s cover was also illustrated by a member of University staff, Art and Design Foundation diploma programme leader, Julie Brown.
Said Professor Rudd: ‘As far as I’m concerned, it’s the most up-to-date and thorough study of this rapidly expanding field that there’s been – although I might be slightly biased!’
Added Julie Brown: ‘I’m very pleased with the cover. It seems to capture that mix of edginess, innocence and allusion that characterises so much modern children’s literature.’
‘Missing Out’, a short film Mary Cooper adapted from her play for ‘Action For Prisoners’ Families, won the IVCA Award for Best Drama 2010. Missing Out has also been shortlisted to be screened at the BFI on May 19th 2010.
IVCA – International Visual Communications Association – Awards are the Oscars of the corporate and public sector filmmakers. This has been a fantastic accolade for both Mary and Knifedge film company.
Written by one of the UK’s best known poets and the University of Bolton’s visiting professor, Ian McMillan, and accompanied by images made by Ian Beesley, Course Leader for MA Photography, this world premiere of a new song-cycle for brass band, choir and soloists looks back at the moment in 1985 when the miners of south Yorkshire returned to work after a full year on strike.
McMillan’s words portray the changing landscape and the families struggling to stay together.
An initiative to support emerging literary talent has been launched by the University of Bolton in collaboration with the Chinese Arts Centre.
The Writers’ Pathway started in February 2010 and was aimed at new writers of Chinese descent. The programme will run over a 14-week period to develop the writers’ craft through professional supervision and distance learning with the help of a professional mentor.
The programme opened with a five-day residential workshop at the Arvon Foundation Lumb Bank Centre in Hebden Bridge, Yorkshire and the 11 writers got to work with experts in their literary field. Tutors included Jo Ho, a screen writer that recently wrote the BBC series “SPIRIT WARRIORS” and was recently selected as one of the ‘Top Ten Outstanding Young Chinese Persons in the UK’ and received a Big Ben Award for her ‘outstanding achievement by a Chinese Women in the UK & Television Industry. Joining Jo was Tina Freeth, a prose writer that has writer short stories including The Crew: Day of the Dog, The Crew: Hot or Not and ‘Growing Up On Lard’ in The Map of Me.
Participants also got to work with Katherine Beacon of BBC Writers’ Room.
Rebecca Albrow, Creative Industries Project Manager, said: ‘For someone still in the early stages of their literary career, this programme could be the catalyst that enables their talent to flourish and grow. We’re delighted to be working with the Chinese Arts Centre on this project and looking forward to nurturing the careers of new national literary talents.’
11 writers that were successful in achieving a place on Writers’ Pathway.
