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ISSN 1039-3498 | no. 46 | August 2000


Australian children’s literature

Maurice SaxbyAustralian children’s literature expert, Maurice Saxby was among the speakers in the children’s literature Spotlight series.

The National Library holds an extensive collection of published children’s literature by Australian authors and a select collection of manuscripts, pictures and oral history records by children’s authors and illustrators. In May the Library showcased these collections through a series of lectures and an exhibition on Pixie O’Harris.

Australian children’s literature collections are spread across a range of State and special children’s literature libraries around Australia. In Canberra the Lu Rees Archives at the University of Canberra Library has an extensive collection of books, manuscripts and graphic materials for study and research on Australian children’s literature. Lu Rees’s enthusiasm for children’s literature inspired the creation of the archives which bears her name and her personal collection of children’s books and manuscripts formed the nucleus of the archives. The opening of newly expanded premises and the celebration of its twentieth anniversary provided an opportunity for archives staff, Associate Professor Belle Alderman and Marlene Meyers and researcher Sue Page to give a presentation at a National Library Spotlight talk.

Other speakers in the children’s literature Spotlight series included Maurice Saxby, Australian children’s literature expert; Anthony Hill, children’s author; and Robert Holden, whose book Orphans of History: The Forgotten Children of the First Fleet was launched at the National Library earlier this year. Maurice spoke of the joy that books can bring, opening a child’s eyes to other experiences and worlds. He talked about the reflection of societal values and beliefs found in children’s literature, and the role of these books in changing cultural views. Robert Holden spoke on the Pixie O’Harris exhibition, which contained manuscripts, pictures and books reflecting Pixie’s magical view of the world. Award winning author Anthony Hill described the challenges and excitement of writing for children.

National Library holdings of children’s literature and related research material can be found using the catalogue www.nla.gov.au/webpac. More information about the Lu Rees Archives can be found at isd.canberra.edu.au/library/lurees.
Roxanne Missingham

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